Two Ukrainians detained in Austria on suspicion of spying; two journalists released
Austrian authorities have detained two Ukrainians on suspicion of espionage, while two journalists from the Ukrainian newspaper Ukrainska Pravda, held in the same case, have been freed. The paper is demanding explanations from Austrian law enforcement.
Two Ukrainians have been detained in Austria on suspicion of spying, the authorities announced on Friday. Two journalists from the Ukrainian newspaper Ukrainska Pravda, who were also held in connection with the case, have been released. The episode has drawn reactions from Ukrainian media, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry and an international press freedom group.
Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said the two suspects detained on Monday remain in custody. He said the investigation is continuing but declined to give further details.
Detention of the journalists
Two Ukrainska Pravda staff members were also detained on Thursday. A spokeswoman for the prosecutor's office told the AFP news agency they were held on the basis of "suspicions that have not been confirmed".
The newspaper said reporter Mykhailo Tkach was released on Friday morning after more than 12 hours in detention. He was in Vienna on an editorial assignment, trying to establish the whereabouts of Ruslan Kravchenko, Ukraine's former prosecutor general. President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed Kravchenko last month. Kravchenko is accused of corruption, which he denies.
Cameraman Yaroslav Bondarenko was injured during the detention and taken to hospital. According to the newspaper, police began questioning him only late at night.
Reaction
Ukrainska Pravda stressed that its editorial team had not previously encountered such accusations against its staff. It said this raises serious questions and demanded explanations from Austrian law enforcement.
Reporters Without Borders said the Ukrainian journalists had been subjected to violent detention in Vienna. It urged the authorities to fully clarify what happened and to ensure protection of the journalists' equipment and sources.
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said it continues to look into the circumstances of the detentions and has been in contact with Austria's Foreign Ministry.
