BStU (Body for the Records of the State Security Service of the German Democratic Republic)

The BStU, or Body for the Records of the State Security Service of the German Democratic Republic (Stasi), is the organization responsible for archiving and managing the extensive files created by East Germany’s secret police. After Germany reunified in 1990, the BStU was established to preserve these records, which contain detailed information on East German citizens, political opponents, and the state’s surveillance activities. Its mission includes safeguarding the archives, facilitating public access for research and personal inquiry, and promoting transparency about the Stasi’s operations, helping interpret a critical part of German history.