In 1981, the Supreme Court of the GDR imposed a death sentence for the last time. On June 26, 1981, it was carried out in Leipzig - the Stasi officer Werner Teske died with a shot to the head. His crime: He planned to escape to the West. However, he never carried out his plan. Werner Teske actually wanted to become a scientist. But after graduating, he received an offer he didn't dare turn down - a job with the Ministry for State Security. However, the narrow, closed-off world of Stasi employees soon drove him into a biographical dead end. Teske begins to drink, neglects his work and his marriage crumbles. He sees only one way out: escape to the West. As an entrance fee, he obtains secret documents from the ministry. But he hesitates - for too long. He is soon interrogated by his colleagues, his apartment is searched and he finally confesses his plans. Stasi boss Mielke wants to make an example of him. Werner Teske doesn't stand a chance.