OREANDA-NEWS. The Norwegian authorities intend until the end of October to secure the release of their citizen Frude Berg, who was sentenced in the Russian Federation to 14 years in prison for espionage. According to a Norwegian television channel on Monday, the Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry wants Berg to return home before the possible arrival of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the liberation of northern Norway by Soviet troops from Nazi occupation.

“The goal is to bring the Norwegian convicted of espionage home to Kirkenes before celebrating the 75th anniversary of East Finnmark’s liberation by Russians at the end of October. Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov, King Harald and Prime Minister Erna Sulberg will come to Kirkenes to celebrate”, the media reported, referring to to a source in diplomatic circles. According to the interlocutor of the channel, the work to return the citizen has already cost the Norwegian Foreign Ministry 11 million kroons (about $ 1.2 million).

The publication notes that the process is complicated against the backdrop of anti-Russian sanctions, which Norway has joined. The country's foreign ministry said in a commentary to the channel that diplomats "work with various options for" solving the problem and "deal with Berg’s business in the way that, according to the foreign ministry, would be better for his interests".

“It’s clear that on the anniversary they will want to discuss something other than Frude Berg. I think both sides are interested in resolving the issue by the indicated date”, the Norwegian lawyer Brunjulf ​​Riesnes quoted the channel as saying. He noted that in the absence of a decision between the parties, the defense will seek to serve Berg's sentence in Norway. "Replacing the place of detention is a realistic option. But in this case it will take much more time than with the agreement between Norway and Russia", added Riesnes.