And he agreed to do work unofficially for the Stasi because he didn't want to give up his boxing career at 16, Schulz said in an interview with the newspaper Bild.
Revealing for the first time the Stasi connection that has tainted East German writers, politicians and civil servants, Schulz, 26, said that he was first approached in 1986, when he was a 16-year-old preparing for the junior European championships and his stepfather had illegally crossed into West Berlin.
He said he received neither money nor gifts and made insignificant reports. "At the meetings, I always told them blah-blah," he said. "I never thought about it seriously."
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.