Kulturarv

Kejsergade, Copenhagen

In the period around 1970, there was talk of youth uprising and liberation, and even revolution, especially among students. In the autumn of 1969, the public mood was decidedly tense. University students had revealed shady activities in the basement under their department at the Kejsergade site in central Copenhagen. Here the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) had established a secret operations centre. In breach of the Danish Constitution, MIS appeared to be tapping foreign embassies and telex and telegraph communication. There were those who believed that the potentially revolutionary activity among the students was also under surveillance.

Reckless action removed all traces

• Story written by: Niels Jul Nielsen
• Time / Periode 1969

What had actually gone on in the Kejsergade basement in 1969 remained classified, since the Military Intelligence Service hastily cleared out the premises to remove any potentially incriminating evidence. An eyewitness tells the story: In the late evening of 22 October, students heard hectic activity behind the gate at the Kejsergade address...Shortly before midnight, a large police task force turned up... In the yard, an engine revved hysterically. The gate opened and a light-coloured Opel Rekord with tinted windows shot out at full speed. The car sideswiped a student and hit a police officer as it tore off the wrong way down the one-way street of Skindergade". After this episode, little doubt remained that the basement had been used for shady operations. "

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