Anniversary of the building of the Wall: Wegner remembers Çetin Mert

The five-year-old Çetin Mert drowned in the Spree at the sector border in 1975 - this was recently commemorated by an act of remembrance, which was also remembered by the Governing Mayor Kai Wegner. (archive picture)

Before the anniversary of the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961, Governing Mayor Kai Wegner remembered the victims of the GDR border regime, including Çetin Mert, a boy who died in an accident while playing in Kreuzberg in 1975.

"50 years ago, Çetin Mert drowned in the Spree on his fifth birthday because West Berlin rescue workers were not allowed to provide assistance in GDR waters without permission and the GDR border guards reacted far too late," explained the CDU politician. "We mourn the victims of the Wall - and will never forget them."

Wall is a "symbol of GDR injustice"

The GDR began building the Berlin Wall 64 years ago on August 13, 1961. "The Berlin Wall was and is a symbol of GDR injustice," explained Wegner. "It divided our country for many years, robbed people in the GDR of their freedom and cost many people their lives." The Wall will be officially commemorated in memorial acts on Wednesday.