Mihkelson: Kohver for Dressen exchange just speculation
Head of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Marko Mihkelson, remained tight-lipped on a prison swap which would see a kidnapped Estonian secret service official Eston Kohver, held in Moscow, exchanged for Aleksei Dressen, a former ISS official held in Estonian prison for spying for Russia.
“What concerns Dressen, then this is just a speculation,” Mihkelson said.
A possible exchange has been mooted by media shortly after the capture of Kohver, with his Russian state-appointed lawyer Yevgeni Aksyonov saying it is more than likely to happen.
Speculation increased last week, after Dressen was taken from his prison cell, along with all his possessions. Estonian authorities said it is part of legal procedures, adding that he will soon return to continue serving his time.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice today said Dressen, serving a 16-year sentence, is now back at the Tartu prison.
Kohver in good health
An Estonian consul met Kohver in his Moscow prison on Wednesday, with the Kohver saying he is in good health and was even visited by a Russian inspector to check if his cell conditions were satisfactory.
Kohver asked the consul to thank all of his supporters.
Mihkelson said Russia has allowed Estonian representatives to meet Kohver on a regular basis.
An earlier version of the story said Dressen was not at the Tartu prison, but officials now say he has been returned to continue his prison term.
Editor: J.M. Laats