People tied to ex-prosecutor Kravchenko behind Vienna detention of journalists
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UP head of investigations Mykhailo Tkach disclosed the resond behind Ukrainian journalists detention in Vienna (Photo: Mykhailo Tkach / Facebook)
Testimonies from individuals linked to former Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko may have prompted the detention of Ukrainska Pravda (UP) outlet journalists in Vienna, Mykhailo Tkach stated on Oct. 14.
Commenting on the incident, Tkach announced that the publication is already seeking all case files in the possession of Austrian law enforcement authorities.
"We will work to investigate every step taken by law enforcement regarding our film crew, he said.
"We are already filing requests for all materials held by the Austrian law enforcement agencies concerning who provided testimonies that could have influenced the Austrian law enforcement system."
He noted that the individuals who testified against the reporting team are likely tied to the subject of their Vienna investigation.
"At this point, we can already state that the people who provided these testimonies may be linked to the subject of the story we came to film in Vienna — Ruslan Kravchenko — and his inner circle," Tkach added.
Austrian investigators were already aware that they were interrogating Ukrainian journalists before the formal questioning commenced.
On Oct. 12, Vienna Prosecutor's Office stated that the detention of UP journalists Mykhailo Tkach and Yaroslav Bondarenko was based, among other factors, on eyewitness accounts reporting "three men conducting surveillance on a specific facility."
Ukrainska Pravda stated that, alongside its legal counsel, it will seek a comprehensive review of the circumstances surrounding the detention, identify the individuals responsible for potential violations, clarify the circumstances regarding lost property, and pursue full compensation for damages incurred.
Detention of Ukrainska Pravda Journalists in Austria
On Oct. 8, Ukrainska Pravda reported that Mykhailo Tkach and camera operator Yaroslav Bondarenko had been detained in Austria while on an editorial assignment focused on former Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko. The outlet noted that the journalists had gone missing and ceased all communications.
On Oct. 9, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine confirmed that Austrian police released Tkach from custody. UP Editor-in-Chief Sevgil Musaieva stated that Bondarenko sustained physical injuries during the police operation and was hospitalized.
Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner later stated that the journalists were detained in connection with an active espionage investigation, adding that two other Ukrainian nationals were taken into custody alongside the media crew.
Citing security sources, Austrian newspaper Der Standard reported that the detained individuals were allegedly suspected of being operatives of Ukrainian military intelligence.
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