Erich Honecker

Erich Honecker (25 August 1912–29 May 1994) was a German Communist politician who led East Germany from 1971 until 1989. After German re-unification, he first fled to the Soviet Union but was extradited by the new democratic Russian government to Germany, where he was imprisoned and tried for high treason and crimes committed during the Cold War (specifically the deaths of 192 Germans who tried to escape the Honecker regime). However, as he was dying of cancer, he was released from prison. He died in exile in Chile shortly after.

Related Topics:
25 August - 1912 - 29 May - 1994 - German - Communist - Politician - East Germany - 1971 - 1989 - Cold War - Cancer - Chile

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~