Secret police files released in Hungary, 47 years after fall of communism

A typical entry records the real name of the informer, their codename, date of birth, address and mother's name, their motive for recruitment - whether voluntary or because they were blackmailed or coerced - and the name of their handling officer.

Another batch of files, known as the "B-dossiers" are currently being digitalised, and will be made available on 25 February.

These will offer much more detail about the recruitment process, and the high or low value of the information they provided.

Critics of the opening of the files emphasise this point - that people will be too quick to judge those they find in the files, and unwilling to understand the nuances.