Themen
- politische Haft
- Flucht/Fluchthilfe
- Freikauf
Sprache
- Englisch
- Russisch
Biographical information
1959 Born in Rostock
1965–1977 Attended school in Ribnitz-Damgarten, Abitur (equivalent to High school diploma or A-levels)
1977–1979 Compulsory military service with the National People’s Army (NVA)
1979–1984 Studied electrical engineering at Magdeburg University of Technology
1984–1986 Worked as a research assistant at Ilmenau University of Technology (TU)
1986 Attempted escape from the GDR, remanded in the Stasi prison in Suhl
1987 Sentenced to two years in prison in accordance with Section 213 of the GDR’s penal code
1987 Imprisoned at the Cottbus penal facility
July 1987 Release purchased by the West German government and departure from the GDR with a detour via the Stasi remand prison in Karl-Marx-Stadt (today Chemnitz)
Since 1988 International work engagements in industry, most recently as chairman of a medium-sized company
1991 Rehabilitated by the Meiningen district court
1992 Inspected file at the Stasi Records Agency, Suhl branch office
Profile
Peter Grosse was born in Rostock in 1959 and grew up in a dissident household in the GDR. After obtaining a degree in electrical engineering, he worked as a research assistant at TU Ilmenau (Illmenau University of Technology).
He felt the restrictions of the SED dictatorship from early on. The lack of freedom to travel, the omnipotence of the state security service, and attempts to recruit him for a career as an officer with the National People’s Army (NVA) all caused him to contemplate leaving the country. He seized the opportunity during various holidays to Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria to explore potential escape routes. In 1986, Grosse and his girlfriend attempted to escape, but failed. After being sentenced to two years in prison for "unlawful border crossing", in July 1987, he was released and brought to West Germany as part of the "trade in political prisoners" between East and West Germany or what was known as Häftlingsfreikauf ("prisoners’ ransom").
More recently, Peter Grosse has served as chairman of a medium-sized company specialising in e-mobility.