Paul Merker
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Paul Merker (1 February 1894 – 13 May 1969) was an activist member of Germany's Communist Party (KPD / Kommunistische Partei Deutschlands) who later became a politician and a top official of East Germany's ruling SED (Socialist Unity Party of Germany/Sozialistische Einheitspartei Deutschlands).[1]
Quick Facts Born, Died ...
Paul Merker | |
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Born | 1 February 1894 |
Died | 13 May 1969 (1969-05-14) (aged 75) |
Nationality | German |
Occupation(s) | Politician, political activist and communist party official |
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Merker featured for several years in the show trial culture of the time, placed under a lengthy investigation process that formally began in 1950, and jailed for eight years as a spy in 1955. Released less than a year later, he appeared as a reluctant witness against his friend Walter Janka at another show trial in 1957.