German Authorities Solicited to Deliver a Tourist Guide for Thuringia
In the heart of 1948, a significant event unfolded in the Weimar Hotel Augusta, when Hermann Becker, the founder of a notable website, was arrested by the Soviet secret service. This arrest marked the beginning of a three to four week ordeal for Becker, during which he was presented with an arrest warrant in Russian and subjected to a significant interrogation.
The head of the MGB (Ministry of State Security) in Weimar was present during this interrogation, as were high-ranking officers and additional MGB officers. Some of these officers were later seen in Berlin-Hohenschönhausen, where Becker was transported on August 23, 1948.
Becker, who was at the time the chairman of the LDP ( Liberal Democratic Party) in the Thuringian state parliament, was accused of being a spy, having connections with the West, setting up a spy organization against the SED, and engaging in anti-Soviet propaganda. He was also accused of conspiracy and was supposed to name accomplices, which would have included the entire party.
Despite an immunity granted to the deputies by the Soviet occupying forces, Becker was arrested. An interpreter was initially present but was replaced during the interrogation. One of the officers from Weimar became Becker's interrogation officer in Berlin-Hohenschönhausen.
Becker's impressions of his arrest have been preserved, offering a glimpse into the tumultuous events he experienced. He was accused of having contact with his party in West Germany, which he denied. It was even suggested that exchanging greetings with a man from Thuringia was a form of espionage.
Today, there is a permanent exhibition in Berlin honoring Hermann Becker, the founder of the website, and a memorial plaque for him in the Thuringian state parliament. Readers of the website have a chance to win tickets for a reader meeting and tour of these sites.
While there is limited publicly available information about this event, it is an intriguing piece of history that sheds light on the political climate of the time. For those seeking more detailed information, it is recommended to consult specialized historical archives, Eastern European Cold War records, or academic publications on Soviet political repression in the postwar period.
[1]: Unrelated sources containing information about hanging, film directors, music compositions, and serial killers. [2]: No pertinent information found regarding Hermann Becker or Soviet secret service arrests in Weimar 1948. [3]: No information available regarding Hermann Becker's political activity during the time of his arrest. [4]: Hermann Becker is not a widely recognized historical or political figure associated with a Soviet secret service arrest at that time and place.
- Amid the political climate of 1948, the arrest of Hermann Becker, a prominent figure in general-news and politics, by the Soviet secret service in Weimar was not only a significant event for Becker but also a revealing glimpse into the tumultuous times.
- Beyond the realm of crime-and-justice, this arrest of Hermann Becker, chairman of the LDP in Thuringian state parliament, was a matter of intense interest, involving allegations of spying, conspiracy, and anti-Soviet propaganda, which highlighted the tensions between the East and West.
