A 24-year-old American YouTuber, Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov from Scottsdale, Arizona, remains in custody after attempting to make contact with the reclusive Sentinelese tribe on North Sentinel Island, a restricted area in the Indian Ocean. Authorities confirmed he will appear before a local court in Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, on April 29.
Polyakov was arrested on March 31, two days after setting foot on North Sentinel Island, where he left offerings including a can of Diet Coke and a coconut. He also filmed parts of the island and collected sand samples before heading back to his boat. Despite his attempts to engage with the tribe, he did not encounter any of its members during his brief, one-hour stay.
A senior police official, speaking anonymously, emphasized that the incident, while possibly intended as an “adventure,” represents a clear violation of Indian laws that aim to protect the Sentinelese. Contact with the tribe is strictly prohibited due to the potential health and safety risks it poses to both the isolated community and outsiders. Indian law forbids approaching within five kilometers (about 3 miles) of North Sentinel Island, whose indigenous inhabitants have lived in isolation for thousands of years and have fiercely resisted any outside contact.
The Sentinelese are known to use bows, arrows, and spears for hunting and defending their territory. In 2018, they killed an American missionary who illegally attempted to visit the island. A similar incident in 2006 involved two fishermen who were also killed after straying onto the island’s shores.
Authorities revealed that Polyakov had done thorough research into the area’s sea conditions, tides, and access points before embarking on his trip. He was later spotted by local fishermen and reported to authorities, leading to his arrest in Port Blair—located over 1,200 kilometers (750 miles) from mainland India.
Officials from the U.S. consulate have reportedly visited Polyakov in jail, though the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi has not commented publicly on the matter. Polyakov faces charges that could result in up to five years in prison and a fine if convicted.