An American YouTuber from Arizona is facing serious legal trouble in India after attempting to make contact with one of the world’s most isolated tribes… with nothing more than a can of Diet Coke and a coconut in hand.
Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, 24, remains in custody in India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands following his March 31 arrest. Authorities say Polyakov defied strict Indian laws by stepping foot on North Sentinel Island, a protected and heavily restricted area home to the reclusive Sentinelese tribe. His next court appearance in Port Blair, the islands’ capital, is scheduled for April 29.
According to Indian police, the YouTuber…who is from Scottsdale, Arizona… had meticulously planned the illegal expedition. He reportedly studied tide patterns, sea routes, and the geography of the island before embarking on his third attempt to reach the islanders. His mission: to document an encounter with the Sentinelese, who are known for violently rejecting any outside contact.
“This might be framed as an adventure,” said a senior police official, “but it’s a clear violation of Indian law. Contact with the Sentinelese can threaten their existence.”
India enforces a 5-kilometer exclusion zone around North Sentinel Island to protect the tribe, which has remained uncontacted for thousands of years. The penalty for breaching this zone can include up to five years in prison and fines. Past attempts to approach the tribe have ended in tragedy. In 2018, an American missionary was killed by the islanders after illegally entering their territory. And in 2006, two fishermen met the same fate.
Polyakov spent about an hour on the island’s beach, blowing a whistle in an effort to draw out the tribe. When no one appeared, he left behind his offerings and gathered video footage and sand samples. His return was short-lived, however… local fishermen reported him to the authorities, leading to his arrest in Port Blair, roughly 750 miles east of India’s mainland.
A U.S. consulate official reportedly visited Polyakov in jail earlier this week, though the U.S. Embassy in Delhi has not released an official statement.
Polyakov’s risky journey has sparked debate online, with some calling it a reckless stunt and others viewing it as a misguided attempt at cultural exploration. Either way, the consequences could be steep.
