A YouTuber is facing five years behind bars for attempting to make contact with North Sentinel Island.
In case you’re not familiar with the island, the Sentinelese are an Indigenous tribe who live on the island and are frequently referred to as the “last” uncontacted peoples on the planet. Over the years, several people have tried to contact the tribe and learn more about them — but they’ve made it clear they don’t like visitors. In fact, back in 2018, an evangelical missionary named John Allen Chau was killed by the tribe after attempting to make contact.
The Sentinelese are a very protected people by the Indian government — and for good reason! They haven’t been exposed to a lot of modern-day illnesses and diseases. One small germ that may not do much to a person today could have devastating affects on the spear-wielding tribe. There’s only estimated to be around 100-150 of them left.
Because of this, it’s VERY illegal to try and make contact with them. India wants to give them their right to peace, which is totally fair! We shouldn’t be bothering them! But, of course, in a world of challenge-eager social media stars, it’s no surprise someone has allegedly broken the law once more. Ugh.
Related: YouTuber Adam The Woo Found Dead — Fans Mourn On Social Media
American tourist Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, allegedly filmed himself floating for NINE HOURS over toward the North Sentinel Island’s shores… The 24-year-old, known on YouTube as Neo-Orientalist, did all that for a five minute visit — only to leave behind a coconut and a can of diet Coca-Cola.
Not only did he risk his own life by trespassing illegally to a tribe who could very easily kill him for intruding, he left behind something that could very well be a death sentence! A can of soda — really?! For an uncontacted tribe? All for a five-minute visit and a video for social media… We really hope it doesn’t end up becoming a deadly scenario for the Sentinelese.
Caroline Pearce, the director for Survival International — an indigenous rights group — said it best in a statement about Mykhailo:
“It beggars belief that someone could be that reckless and idiotic. This person’s actions not only endangered his own life, they put the lives of the entire Sentinelese tribe at risk.”
When the YouTuber returned to India after his illegal excursion, he was arrested and charged for entering a prohibited tribal reserve area. He could be facing up to five years in prison for the stunt. But what do U think? Is that enough of a punishment?
Mykhailo is known on social media as an extreme traveler. This is far from his first dangerous trip, but this could turn into his most fatal. So, so awful. We’re sending peace to the Sentinelese, we truly hope they’re not affected by this.
Thoughts, Perezcious readers? Let us know in the comments (below).
[Image created for PerezHilton.com]
