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The failed escape and the ‘stolen’ son
After a disastrous effort to flee East Germany, Andreas Laake was set on finding his son
In 1984, Andreas Laake fled communist East Germany in a dinghy with his pregnant wife, but this attempt to leave ended disastrously. They were intercepted and Andreas was thrown in jail. When his son was born he was 'stolen', or forcibly given up for adoption by the state. His marriage ended and he never saw his wife again. Andreas then started a 25 year search for his son which involved an intense public campaign. But would he ever find him? Emily Webb hears his story. (Photo courtesy of Andreas Laake.)
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The Outlook Podcast Archive
True stories of ordinary people and the extraordinary events that have shaped their lives
