Two Ukrainians held in Vienna spy probe; journalists released

Austrian authorities said four Ukrainians were detained in Vienna. Two men are suspected of working for Ukrainian military intelligence, while suspicion against journalists Mykhailo Tkach and Yaroslav Bondarenko, detained separately, was not substantiated.

Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said four Ukrainians had been detained in Vienna this week on suspicion of spying. APA and magazine Profil reported that two men arrested on Monday were suspected of working for Ukrainian military intelligence. A court remanded them in custody until October 21. Both deny the allegations.

Police separately detained Ukrainska Pravda journalist Mykhailo Tkach and cameraman Yaroslav Bondarenko on Thursday. The newspaper’s editor in chief, Sevgil Musaieva, said Tkach was released after more than 12 hours in custody, but his communication devices had not been returned.

Musaieva said Bondarenko was injured during his detention. A Vienna prosecutors’ spokeswoman later told APA that suspicion against the two journalists had not been substantiated, that Tkach was free, and that Bondarenko’s release was being arranged.

Austrian authorities have not disclosed details of the investigation involving the other two detainees. The Ukrainian embassy said it was awaiting an explanation of the legal grounds for the arrests. The investigation is continuing.