On 11 February 1986, an exchange of agents took place on Glienicke Bridge. It was documented in photos by Department VI of the Stasi District Administration in Potsdam. The photos show how the exchange was carried out in stages. The operation centred on the Soviet dissident Anatoly Borisovich Shcharansky who had been arrested in March 1977. On 14 July 1978, he was convicted of high treason and espionage for the United States and sentenced to 13 years' forced labour in Perm 35 Gulag. As part of the exchange of prisoners on Glienicke Bridge in February 1986, Shcharansky was released after nine years' imprisonment.
Cover of BArch, MfS, HAVI, Nr. 1146
Date range of the case file: 1986
Extent of the case: 1 volume, 15 sheets
Source: BArch, MfS, HAVI, Nr. 1146