Estonian PM on allegations against Mihkelson: Avoid jumping to conclusions

TALLINN – Commenting on the allegations against fellow Reform Party member and MP Marko Mihkelson of him having produced indecent photographs of a child, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said that this is a regrettable incident that greatly affects people's private lives and thus one should refrain from jumping to conclusions.

"I found out about the incident when I formed the government," the prime minister and Reform Party leader wrote on social media on Friday. "I can rely on the fact that the police and child protection services have dealt with the incident. No investigation has been initiated against Marko Mihkelson and in the background of this case is a very complicated dispute and conflicting relations between the children's parents."

According to Kallas, the most important thing in this situation is protecting the privacy of children. "This is a regrettable incident that greatly affects people's private lives and therefore premature conclusions and political revenge should be avoided," the prime minister said.

The daily Postimees reported on Thursday evening that chairman of the foreign affairs committee of the Riigikogu, Marko Mihkelson, took pictures of a minor as they were naked  or in scanty clothes. However, in the opinion of the agencies that dealt with the matter, Mihkelson did not intentionally produce an erotic or pornographic work about a minor.