'We were being arrested like terrorists' - Ukrainian journalist says his detention in Austria was brutal
Austrian authorities detained Ukrainian investigative journalist Mykhailo Tkach and his cameraman Yaroslav Bondarenko in Vienna while they were on an editorial assignment. Tkach stated that police held them at gunpoint and restrained them, describing the operation by stating, "We were being arrested like terrorists." Police accused the journalists of spying for Ukrainian military intelligence and involvement with a criminal organization. Two of the four detained Ukrainians have been released, while two individuals alleged to be military intelligence personnel remain remanded in custody.
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- ✓ Ukrainska Pravda investigative journalist Mykhailo Tkach and his colleague Yaroslav Bondarenko were detained by Austrian authorities in Vienna while on an editorial assignment.
- ✓ Mykhailo Tkach stated that Austrian police accused him and his cameraman of spying for Ukrainian military intelligence and involvement with a criminal organization.
- ✓ Four Ukrainians were detained in Vienna over suspected espionage, and two have since been released.
- ✓ Two detained Ukrainians alleged to be military intelligence personnel were remanded in custody in Vienna.
What changed
Mykhailo Tkach and some of his colleagues were freed from Austrian custody, while two other detained Ukrainians remained remanded.
Live updates
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Austrian Police Detain Ukrainian Journalists on Espionage Suspicions
Austrian authorities detained Ukrainian investigative journalist Mykhailo Tkach and his cameraman Yaroslav Bondarenko in Vienna while they were on an editorial assignment. Tkach stated that police held them at gunpoint and restrained them, describing the operation by stating, "We were being arrested like terrorists." Police accused the journalists of spying for Ukrainian military intelligence and involvement with a criminal organization. Two of the four detained Ukrainians have been released, while two individuals alleged to be military intelligence personnel remain remanded in custody.
Why it matters
The detention occurred while the Ukrainska Pravda journalists were tracking a dismissed Ukrainian official wanted for corruption who was hiding in Vienna. Freedom of expression organizations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists and the Association of European Journalists, have demanded urgent explanations from Austrian authorities regarding the violent nature of the arrests and the detention of reporters performing professional duties.
What is confirmed
- Ukrainska Pravda investigative journalist Mykhailo Tkach and his colleague Yaroslav Bondarenko were detained by Austrian authorities in Vienna while on an editorial assignment.
- Mykhailo Tkach stated that Austrian police accused him and his cameraman of spying for Ukrainian military intelligence and involvement with a criminal organization.
- Four Ukrainians were detained in Vienna over suspected espionage, and two have since been released.
- Two detained Ukrainians alleged to be military intelligence personnel were remanded in custody in Vienna.
Still unconfirmed
- The detained journalists were specifically hunting for a sacked Ukrainian official in hiding who is wanted for corruption.
What to watch next
- Official explanations from Austrian authorities regarding the legal basis for the arrests and violent tactics
- Further legal proceedings or release updates concerning the two Ukrainians remanded in custody
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (14)
- The Kyiv Independent — Update: Ukrainian journalists detained in Austria suspected of spying, minister claims
- Українська правда — UP investigative journalist Mykhailo Tkach detained in Vienna while on editorial assignment
- Ukrinform — Ukrainian journalist Tkach freed after detention in Vienna – MFA
- mezha.net — Four Ukrainians Are Detained in Vienna Over Suspected Espionage; Two Are Released
- Yahoo — Two Ukrainians alleged to be military intelligence personnel remanded in custody in Vienna
- Committee to Protect Journalists — Ukrainian journalists detained in Austria; authorities must urgently explain why
- ua.news — Mykhailo Tkach spoke about his rough arrest in Vienna
- kyivindependent.com — 'We were being arrested like terrorists'— Ukrainian ...
- www.pravda.com.ua — Ukrainska Pravda journalist Tkach reveals espionage charges ...
- www.yahoo.com — "We were detained like terrorists": UP journalist Mykhailo ...
- aej.org — AEJ demands answers from Austria over violent detention of ...
- www.europesays.com — Ukrainian journalists detained in Austria; authorities must ...
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