On October 9, 2026, in Vienna, Austrian police detained Ukrainian journalists Mykhailo Tkach and Yaroslav Bondarenko. Tkach shared details about the harsh conditions of his detention and the charges brought against him.
Details of the Detention
According to Tkach, the detention occurred while he and operator Bondarenko were on their way to a shoot. Their car was surrounded by seven armed men in masks who broke the windows and pulled them out onto the road. Tkach noted that the detainees did not identify themselves or explain their actions, leading him to believe they were being kidnapped.
- The detention took place 3–5 km from the center of Vienna.
- The detainees pulled Tkach and Bondarenko from the car, laid them face down on the asphalt, and restrained them.
- Tkach stated that one of the men pressed his knee to his neck despite his claims of being a journalist.
Charges and Conditions of Detention
After the detention, Tkach was taken to the police station, where he was charged with espionage in favor of the Ukrainian military intelligence, participation in a criminal organization, and causing harm to Austria. He noted that during the interrogation, he did not see any evidence of illegal activity by the filming crew.
Tkach also described the conditions of his detention: he was placed in solitary confinement, his belongings were taken away, and for about two hours, no one explained the reasons for his detention. After that, he was forced to undress and sign a document in German, the content of which he did not understand.
Reaction of Ukrainian Diplomats
Tkach mentioned that Ukrainian diplomats provided him with assistance, and the Austrian prosecutor decided to release him. He also suggested that Austrian law enforcement might have been misled by individuals the journalists were working with in Vienna, including former Prosecutor General Kravchenko.