Former Stasi officer faces trial for 1974 Berlin border shooting
by Agence France-Presse in Berlin from World news | The Guardian on (#6KB9H)
Martin Naumann is one of first former East German officials to be charged with murder instead of manslaughter
A former Stasi officer has denied the murder 50 years ago of a Polish man trying to flee to West Berlin, at the opening of a trial that could affect how communist-era killings are prosecuted in Germany.
Martin Naumann, 80, spoke only to confirm his identity as a court in Berlin began hearing the case on Thursday. His lawyer said Naumann, an ex-member of the East German secret police, denied the charges against him.
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