Lawyer Friedrich Wolff, who represented former East German leader Erich Honecker, has passed away.
Friedrich Wolff, a renowned defense attorney, rose to fame in East Germany after his appearance on the popular TV show "Alles was Recht ist." At the age of 101, Wolff, who represented former East German state leader Erich Honecker, peacefully passed away at his home in Wandlitz, located north of Berlin. His wife confirmed the news to publisher Frank Schumann.
Having come from a Jewish family, Wolff's career began with his role as a public defender in the East Berlin trials against former senior National Socialists Hans Globke and Theodor Oberländer. These West Germans were convicted in absentia in the early 1960s for their actions during the Nazi era. With the German reunification, Wolff went on to represent other notable East German politicians like Hans Modrow and Hermann Axen in united courts. To commemorate his legal endeavors, several books were published, including his autobiography "Verlorene Prozesse. Meine Verteidigungen in politischen Verfahren" and a conversation with Egon Krenz titled "Komm mir nicht mit Rechtsstaat."
Friedrich Wolff was born on July 30, 1922, in Berlin, and he will be laid to rest at the Jewish Cemetery in Berlin-Weißensee, where his parents are also buried.
This piece showcases how Friedrich Wolff, a former East German attorney, gained prominence through his television show and representation of prominent political figures from East Germany post-reunification. From his beginnings as a legal counsel in the East Berlin trials of National Socialists to his later defense of former state leader Erich Honecker, he had a noteworthy career that spanned decades. In due time, Wolff was laid to rest at a Jewish cemetery where his parents were also buried.
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Despite his international reputation as a defense attorney, Friedrich Wolff's most notable client was the former East German leader Erich Honecker during his subsequent trials. Currently, international media outlets are covering the news of Wolff's death, acknowledging his significant contributions to current East German affairs and legal history.
