Two HUR officers likely arrested in Vienna — report

In addition to Ukrainska Pravda journalist Mykhailo Tkach and cameraman Yaroslav Bondarenko, two other Ukrainian citizens have been detained in Austria on suspicion of espionage. They may be employees of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR), Der Standard reported on Oct. 9, citing sources.

The men were detained in Vienna on Oct. 5. The day, a regional court ordered that they be held in custody. The detention order is currently valid through Oct. 21.

Court spokeswoman Christina Salzborn said the decision was based on concerns that the suspects could commit further offenses, destroy evidence, or flee.

The detainees deny the allegations against them.

According to the newspaper, it is not yet known how long the suspects had been in Austria or how law enforcement authorities identified them. Officials said those circumstances are being established as part of the investigation.

The case is being investigated by Austria’s Directorate of State Security and Intelligence (DSN). The suspects are accused of activities on behalf of a foreign intelligence service that could have harmed Austria.

On Oct. 8 , Ukrainska Pravda reported that Tkach had been detained in Austria while carrying out an editorial assignment related to former Ukrainian Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko. The publication said at the time that the whereabouts of Tkach and Bondarenko were unknown and that the journalists had stopped responding to calls.

On Oct. 9 , Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said Austrian authorities had released Tkach from custody. Bondarenko was injured during the detention and was in a hospital.

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