Original Article: "Stasi" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stasi
The Ministry for State Security (German: Ministerium für Staatssicherheit, MfS), commonly known as the Stasi (IPA: [ˈʃtɑːziː]) (abbreviation German: Staatssicherheit, literally State Security), was the official {state security service} of the {German Democratic Republic} or {GDR}, colloquially known as East Germany. It has been described as one of the most effective and repressive {intelligence} and {secret police agencies} in the world. The Stasi was headquartered in East Berlin, with an extensive complex in Berlin-Lichtenberg and several smaller facilities throughout the city. The Stasi motto was "Schild und Schwert der Partei" (Shield and Sword of the Party), that is the ruling {Socialist Unity Party of Germany} (SED). Several Stasi officials were prosecuted for their crimes after 1990.
