Karel Köcher, the only known spy to penetrate the CIA, faced skepticism upon his return to Czechoslovakia after a prisoner exchange in 1986.
In February 1986, a historic event unfolded at the Glienicke Bridge in Berlin where dissident Anatoly Shcharansky was exchanged for Karel Köcher, the only known spy to have infiltrated the CIA. While Western media covered the event extensively, it received little attention in the East, primarily due to the clandestine nature of Köcher’s activities. Journalist Vladimír Ševela, author of 'Czech Mole in the CIA,' noted that Czechoslovak media remained reticent about Köcher, reflecting a lack of confidence from the StB about the true nature of his allegiance and the risks involved.
