Höppner allegedly had ties to the East German secret police, the Stasi.
[2] Born in Weinböhla, Germany on 16 April 1934, he died on 20 October 2023, at the age of 89.
[3] On July 18, 2000, in Berlin, Höppner and Ewald were convicted as accessories to the intentional bodily harm of athletes, including minors.
During the trial, Höppner testified that they had received approval from the highest levels of government.
However, unlike his colleague, Höppner expressed remorse in his role and told the court, "I beg those athletes who suffered ill health to accept my apologies.