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'We were being arrested like terrorists' - Ukrainian journalist says his detention in Austria was brutal
The Kyiv Independent • • world
Key Points:
- Ukrainian investigative journalist Mykhailo Tkach and cameraman Yaroslav Bondarenko were detained by Austrian police on Oct. 8 on suspicion of spying for Ukrainian military intelligence, allegations both journalists deny.
- Tkach described the detention as violent and traumatic, with armed men detaining them without identification or explanation, treating them "like terrorists," and Bondarenko was injured and hospitalized.
- Tkach was released after more than 12 hours, but Bondarenko remains in custody, and their legal status and the reasons for the prolonged detention remain unclear, prompting concern from their media outlet Ukrainska Pravda.
- Ukrainian authorities are engaging with Austrian counterparts to clarify the situation, while Ukrainska Pravda demands an official explanation and the return of the journalists' communication devices.
- Tkach was reportedly in Vienna investigating fugitive former Ukrainian Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko, who fled Ukraine amid a corruption probe; Tkach is a renowned journalist known for exposing corruption and has previously received international awards for his work.
