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Introduction ON AUGUST 11, 1983, OFFICIALS FROM THE STASI DEPARTMENT XX, RESPONSIBLE for combating political ideological diversion and underground political activity, documented a so-called Vorkommnisuberprufung (incident investigation). According to file, quoted in detail in Preuss (2005) as well as in Furian and Becker (2000, 113-20), reason for arrest of a number of youths labeled was a concert in Erloserkirche in Berlin-Lichtenberg on June 24. The file includes information regarding objectives of surveillance operation, noting that the Minister ordered severity toward Punks to prevent an escalation of this An additional goal was to catch youths committing an offense for which they could be arrested under law, based on paragraphs 215, 220, and 249 of StGB (criminal code). A telling remark was added to this: Or, if other statutory offenses are applicable, suggestions are welcome. This source raises numerous questions and allows for two important observations. First, German Democratic Republic (GDR) government was nervous about Punks and even feared escalation of movement. Second, document offers insights into nature of conflict between youth and state authority in GDR. In this conflict two sides were unequally matched and state reaction against Punks was backed by considerable political force, even encouraging a new interpretation of law. It is necessary to explain why Stasi in general, and special department for combating political-ideological diversion and underground political activity in particular, was so concerned with surveillance of young people. What was perceived as so dangerous about Punk youth that minister was worried about a possible escalation? What precisely prompted urgent search for criminal offenses? Preuss (2005) has documented history of Namenlos, a Punk group founded in spring 1983 by young musician Michael Horschig and his friends Jana Schlosser, Mita Schamal, and Frank Masch. In April and June 1983, performed twice as part of church events. Their third--and, for a long time, last--gig took place at Erloserkirche, where group came to attention of Stasi. During concert, group performed a number of original songs that subsequently appeared in report about concert. The report in files notes that the gig at which both Punk groups 'Planlos' [!] and 'Unerwunscht' appeared started at around 8:15 pm.... They played about 10 songs, containing statements critical of socialist state and social order as well as neo-fascist thoughts. (1) The observers included in their report notes on songs about Ministry for State Security (MFS, MFS, SS, SS ...), meaninglessness of socialist work (Arbeitest Du fur Erich?), negative influence of Soviet Republic (Rote Parolen und Sowjetmacht haben Deutschland kaputt gemacht), as well as a sense of anger about increasing number of right-wing extremists (Nazischweine in Ostberlin). The report concludes: After completion of efforts to identify members of Punk/rock groups openly attacking socialist state and social order [and] spreading fascist ideas, charges will be brought against them. (2) The Namenlos file is a paradigmatic case that reveals underlying state attitudes and contextualizes increasingly harsh punishment of various youth groups in East Berlin around 1980. As this article will show, file also sheds light on surveillance process and disbandment of Punk group and reveals a great deal about Stasi strategies to deliberately criminalize youth. Based on official sources regarding persecution of Punk movement, this article will show that GDR deliberately avoided drawing a clear distinction between deviant behavior and crime. This strategy provided state with different options in dealing with delinquent youth, officially branded as antisocial and politically dangerous. …
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