Following and surveilling 2

Except interceptions through radio-bugs, “Sigurimi” was also specialized in fixed interceptions.

Unlike the radio interception, the fixed one didn’t use the transmission of radio waves, but used microphones connected by a wire and from that to one or more recorders. Through this technique was usually performed the interceptions against prisoners, foreigners, who stayed in hotels and against ordinary citizens suspected of hostile activities toward the Party and for this they were directly intercepted in their homes.

The rooms of the main hotels had microphones connected by wires to a central recorder that laid several kilometers away. Even prison cells and police stations had fixed microphones hidden inside, connected by cable to a recording hall which usually was in the same building.

But, how was a person intercepted in his own home? In these cases, “Sigurimi” used as base the home of a neighbor, who automatically became a co-worker. The microphone was inserted in a hole made in the wall separating the two apartments. The installation and masking procedures of the microphone into the hole were performed when the house that was being controlled was empty, with no one inside, and “Sigurimi” could enter easily using false keys. In the home of the co-worker neighbor was put the recorder. “Sigurimi” had a special register in which noted all the houses of the co-workers who had activated recorders in their apartments. 

With a similar technique, but using a special photographic camera with a tube shaped target, which was passed through the wall, was secretly photographed inside the surveilled apartment, controlling even “suspicious” meetings that its inhabitants could do there.