A candidate running for the state parliament in the Alternative for Germany (AfD) political party - Kuffert collaborated with the Stasi and offers a defense.
Roman Kuffert stated he didn't collaborate with the Stasi. He falsified information during questioning and was merely an "IM candidate." "Inoffizieller Mitarbeiter," or "IM," stands for a non-official worker. "The Stasi played no role in my life," asserted the AfD politician. Deeply immersed in an oppositional setting, Kuffert continued.
Through his files, it's apparent he didn't report any significant contacts. In his 65-year-old voice, he examined his Stasi records from 1979. The Stasi terminated his involvement "due to unreliability and demonstrated deception." This is confirmed by an agency memo. Not long after, the Stasi discovered "any cooperation efforts were thwarted by his absence from gatherings and numerous unsuccessful attempts at personal contacts."
Approximately twelve months following his Stasi involvement, Kuffert proclaimed he managed to flee to West Berlin. "I'd be happy to let someone review my Stasi files to address any uncertainties," he said.
In a 2021 federal election candidate profile, Kuffert penned that he could now engage in "openly and freely practicing my personal resistance, combating the specter of socialism" after his escape.
