The studio boss opens his address remarking that Martin Pezlar and Ivan Buchta are ”not spies and certainly never intended to threaten” Greek security. Bohemia collects no secrets.
The incident took place on the Greek island of Lemnos where Pezlar and Buchta were detained by authorities. They stand accused of espionage after having taken photos.
”My colleagues and I were shocked when we found out about the detention of our co-workers and friends, Martin Pezlar and Ivan Buchta, on the Greek island of Lemnos. Everybody who knows them realizes that they’re not spies and certainly never intended to threaten Greek national security,” began CEO Marek Spanel.
”The guys visited the island as tourists. Their trip to Lemnos was personal, organized via travel agent, with the single goal of experiencing the place that had inspired the virtual environments of Arma 3, a computer game that they’ve been working on over the past two years.”
”Our company has never gathered or collected any restricted information, such as photos or blueprints of military installations of any nation, nor have we ever tasked anybody else to do it on our behalf. We always respect the law and we develop all of our products using publicly available materials only - Arma 3 is no exception.”
”According to media sources, the Greek ministry of National Defence actually examined our game, after local authorities raised this topic. They assured that the game is fine. Originally planned for release in autumn of this year, it is based upon a fictional future, set in 2035.”
Spanel concluded: ”The whole incident is a terrible personal tragedy for Ivan, Martin and their families; I believe it to be no more than a deep misunderstanding, one which will be swiftly explained. I’m ready to support the guys and their families in these difficult times as much as I can.”
ArmA 3 involves two Greek islands in its campaign where NATO forces rally to stem the expansion of an invading Iranian force. It was first though that Pezlar and Buchta were taking photos for research purposes back at Bohemia Interactive, but the studio affirms they were instead on vacation to the Greek isle of Lemnos.
A community-led effort has begun online to campaign for their release.
