American Arrested for Illegal Entry onto Sentinelese Island

Viktor Polyakow, 24, is in Indian custody after briefly stepping onto North Sentinel Island, reigniting global discourse on protecting uncontacted tribes.

• Viktor Polyakow, a 24-year-old American, was arrested by Indian police on April 3, 2025, for illegally entering North Sentinel Island, home to the isolated Sentinelese tribe.
• Polyakow briefly stepped onto the island on March 31, 2025, leaving gifts such as a coconut and a cola can but did not make direct contact with any tribe members.
• Local fishermen observed Polyakow’s return to South Andaman Island and reported the incident to authorities, leading to his arrest.
• Survival International condemned the act, emphasizing the health risks posed to uncontacted tribes by potential exposure to common diseases.
• The case recalls a 2018 incident where an American missionary was killed by the Sentinelese while attempting unauthorized contact.

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