Defector

In politics, a defector is a person who gives up allegiance to one state in exchange for allegiance to another, changing sides in a way that is considered illegitimate by the first state. More broadly, defection involves abandoning a person, cause, or doctrine to which one is bound by some tie, as of allegiance or duty. This term is also applied, often pejoratively, to anyone who switches loyalty to another religion, sports team, political party, or other rival faction. In that sense, the defector is often considered a traitor by their original side. International politicsThe physical act of defection usually occurs in a manner that violates the laws of the nation or political entity from which the person is seeking to depart. By contrast, mere changes in citizenship, or working with allied militia, usually do not violate any law. For example, in the 1950s, East Germans were increasingly prohibited from traveling to the western Federal Republic of Germany, where they were automatically regarded as citizens according to exclusive mandate. To enforce the policy, the Communist German Democratic Republic erected fortifications along the Inner German border, beginning in 1952, and the B