CPJ urges Austria to explain detention of Ukrainska Pravda journalists in Vienna

Following the release of Ukrainian journalists Mykhailo Tkach and Yaroslav Bondarenko, CPJ has urged Austrian officials to explain their aggressive detention.

Berlin, October 9, 2026—Austrian authorities must urgently explain why Ukrainian investigative journalist Mykhailo Tkach and his colleague Yaroslav Bondarenko were violently detained in Vienna on Thursday and held for more than 12 hours on suspicion of espionage, the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Friday.  Both men work for the independent news website Ukrainska Pravda....

Mykhailo Tkach has said Austrian police accused him and his cameraman of spying for Ukrainian military intelligence and criminal organisation involvement.

Mykhailo Tkach recounted being held at gunpoint and restrained by Austrian police while working on an investigation in Vienna.

Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner stated that Ukrainska Pravda journalist Mykhailo Tkach and his cameraman Yaroslav Bondarenko were detained on suspicion of espionage.

Ukrainska Pravda Editor-in-Chief Sevğil Musaieva has reported that Mykhailo Tkach, head of UP's investigative journalism department, has been released after being detained in Vienna. However, the editorial team is still unable to contact him, while cameraman Yaroslav Bondarenko was injured during the detention.

Ukrainska Pravda journalist Mykhailo Tkach has been released after being detained in Vienna while on an editorial assignment, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry says.

Austrian police detained Ukrainian investigative journalist Mykhailo Tkach and cameraman Yaroslav Bondarenko in Vienna while on assignment. Ukrainska Pravda, their employer, demanded their release. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry sought explanations and consular access, but no charges were announced.

Embassy of Ukraine in Austria has asked Austrian authorities to explain the detention of Ukrainska Pravda investigative journalist Mykhailo Tkach. He remains in custody despite a Ukrainian consul having met with him.

Ukrainska Pravda investigative journalist Mykhailo Tkach has been detained in Vienna while on an editorial assignment. The outlet demands his immediate release.