American arrested after illegal trip to protected North Sentinelese Island

An American tourist faces serious legal consequences after attempting to contact

one of the world's most isolated indigenous tribes. Authorities in India say 24-year-old Mikhailo Paliakov was arrested this week

after landing on North Sentinel Island, a protected zone home to the Sentinelese

a tribe that has rejected outside contact for centuries. Police officials say this was not his first attempt

Paliakov had reportedly visited the area twice before, including a failed attempt last year using a kayak

During another trip earlier this year, he was accused of illegally filming the Jarawa

another protected tribe in the region. Investigators say he launched his most serious attempt yet

sailing across 23 miles of rough waters from South Andaman in a modified raft guided by GPS

He brought with him a coconut, a can of cola and a whistle. Police say he stepped onto the island for a few minutes

left the items as offerings, collected sand samples, and recorded footage before returning

to shore. He was arrested days later and is being investigated under Indian laws protecting

indigenous communities Authorities confiscated his GoPro and phone and say he could face up to five years in prison North Sentinel Island has been off limits for decades The Sentinelese people are believed to have lived in complete isolation

for thousands of years. Their immunity to modern disease is limited, which was one of the reasons

contact is strictly forbidden under Indian law. In 2018, another American missionary, John Allen

Chow, was killed after illegally entering the island to preach Christianity. Survival International

a global advocacy group for uncontacted tribes called Paliakov's actions reckless, saying they endangered not only his life, but the entire tribe

They warned that even brief exposure to outsiders could be deadly to the Sentinelese

due to their vulnerability to common illnesses. Indian authorities say the arrest highlights a larger problem

Despite strict laws and international concern, outsiders are still reaching the island

The case raises questions about enforcement, indigenous sovereignty, and the extent to which online influence is driving a new wave of boundary-pushing behavior

Officials say the investigation is ongoing. Polyakov has not yet been charged

and the U.S. State Department says it is aware of the detention but has declined further comment

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