Arrested Bohemia devs were not scouting military base for Arma 3

Developer Bohemia has rubbished claims linking two of its developers to spying on the Greek military.

MCV last week reported that Ivan Buchta and Martin Pezlar had been arrested on the Greek island of Lemnos on allegations that were collecting sensitive information about a military base.

It was further claimed that the data was to be used in the ongoing development of Arma 3, which is set on a heavily modified” version the island set in 2035.

Having travelled there, and after meeting personally with them both, as well as their lawyer who is fully acquainted with the Greek authority’s investigation file in detail, we can assure you that these insinuations are completely false and without substance,” an official statements reads.

These employees visited the island as tourists. Their holiday was a product of their interest in the island, triggered by their work on Arma 3 over the past two years of development.

They took photographs and videos in public areas, as countless tourists arriving to enjoy the beauty and hospitality of Greece may well do. These included a short video as they drove through the main road passing around the international airport, where in one short part of the video off in the distance some hangars and other buildings of the complex can be seen.

It’s very likely that many tourists may have pictures similar to those taken by Ivan and Martin in their own family albums, without being aware that they put themselves or their families at risk.

We apologize for any possible delay or lack of communication regarding this important matter. At present, all and every possible effort goes towards supporting Ivan and Martin, their families, and to getting the guys safely back home.

The Buchta and Pezlar themselves also issued a short statement:

The conditions are tough, but the people we meet treat us fairly and correctly. It is all a completely absurd misunderstanding that will certainly be quickly explained. We mainly think of you, our families; you have to stay calm and not to worry about us. We hope we will meet soon.”