Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, a 24-year-old YouTuber from Scottsdale, Arizona, remains in custody in India after illegally visiting North Sentinel Island, home to the isolated Sentinelese tribe, as per The AP.
Polyakov, arrested on March 31, is scheduled to appear before a local court in Port Blair, the capital of India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands, on April 29.
Polyakov is accused of violating Indian laws by entering the restricted area around North Sentinel Island. The island, located in the Indian Ocean, has been designated off-limits to visitors to protect the Sentinelese people, who have remained isolated for thousands of years and are known for their hostility towards outsiders.
According to police, Polyakov traveled to the island with the intention of contacting the tribe. After landing on the restricted territory, he left a can of Diet Coke and a coconut as offerings, filmed the island with his camera, and collected sand samples before returning to his boat. He reportedly spent approximately an hour on the beach, blowing a whistle in an attempt to attract the attention of the Sentinelese.
“It may be claimed to be an adventure trip, but the fact is that there has been a violation of Indian laws. Outsiders meeting Sentinelese could endanger the tribe’s survival,” said a senior police officer, who requested anonymity due to not being authorized to speak on the matter.
Polyakov’s actions have drawn serious legal consequences, potentially resulting in a prison sentence of up to five years and a fine under Indian law. Visitors are strictly prohibited from traveling within 3 miles (5 kilometers) of North Sentinel Island due to the inherent risks and the need to protect the tribe.
The Sentinelese people are deeply suspicious of outsiders and have a history of violently resisting contact. In 2018, American missionary John Allen Chau was killed by the tribe after illegally landing on the beach. In 2006, two fishermen who accidentally drifted onto the shore were also killed by the Sentinelese.
Police sources indicate that Polyakov conducted extensive research on sea conditions, tides, and island accessibility before embarking on his journey. Local fishermen spotted him upon his return and alerted authorities, leading to his arrest in Port Blair, an archipelago located roughly 750 miles east of mainland India.
An official from the US consulate reportedly visited Polyakov in jail earlier this week. The US embassy in Delhi has not yet responded to requests for confirmation of the visit or further updates on Polyakov’s situation.
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