Arma 3 developers arrested in Greece

[cichlidfan]

Back in the day I spent countless hours on patrol inside the fence of the particular military installation I inhabited at the time. Trust me when I tell you that, had you been caught taking pictures, or even getting close enough to attempt to, getting arrested would be the very least of your problems.......Then again, times have probably changed.

 

Luckily, Viper was carrying a ...ahem...RIFLE, instead of a caber, back then. :P

 

Sorry for the OT, couldn't resist.

Edit: fixed!

Edited September 14, 2012 by cichlidfan

[159th_Viper]

It was an *assault rifle :chair:

 

*Referring to said rifle as a 'gun' earned you the Wrath of God......To this very day I get spasms when someone refers to a rifle, pistol or revolver as a 'gun' :P

 

 

:megalol:

Edited September 14, 2012 by 159th_Viper

[winz]

HaHa! :doh::)

 

Here is a challenge:

Just pick out a democratic country of your choice and visit it as normal tourist....

 

...than stroll around near a military complex and take pictures and videos of it.

-Yes! I'm talking of one of these buildings that have these signs at the fence:

You might try it in Czech Republic and would most likely be fine. The layout of military installation is not defined as state secret/confidental in law, and you are allowed photograph almost anything you want from public places. My cousin was photographing A-10s stationed on Names Airbase for the Ramstein Rover 2012 last week and noone arrested them or ordered them to cease photographing.

My guess would be that in Slovakia the situation will be similar.

Different country, different approach, different laws. So please, let's stop with the generalization.

Edited September 14, 2012 by winz

[Grimes]

Heh, my parents live by a military installation that has an unguarded bike-path that runs through it. Granted its the Air Force Academy, so it actually IS a tourist attraction and photographs are practically encouraged.

[sungsam]

You might try it in Czech Republic and would most likely be fine. The layout of military installation is not defined as state secret/confidental in law, and you are allowed photograph almost anything you want from public places. My cousin was photographing A-10s stationed on Names Airbase for the Ramstein Rover 2012 last week and noone arrested them or ordered them to cease photographing.

My guess would be that in Slovakia the situation will be similar.

Different country, different approach, different laws. So please, let's stop with the generalization.

 

Names Airbase is not a remote isolated installation hided on difficult to approach terrain, I bet everyday, people photographing airplanes there. Do all beases on Czech have the same level of security ? I bet not.

 

Do you want me to Pm you several photos of fighters taking of from Hellenic Airbases ?

 

What happend here is completely Different. Do people at Names airbase penetrate airbase limits ? Do they also record the surroundings and possible ways of reaching the base.

 

I understand that they worked for ARMA 3 mapping. Just try to explain this to any authority and come to explain me !

 

example:

 

Chech police is mobilized few days ago only becouse someone diclared his simpathy to Breivik. They break in his house and Bulleye, they found matterials for attack preperation. Isn't this example enought for you ?

 

Different country, different approach, different laws ? Do please, let's stop with the generalization.

Edited September 14, 2012 by sungsam

[winz]

I have problem understanding what your reaction was about.

Here is a challenge:

Just pick out a democratic country of your choice and visit it as normal tourist....

 

...than stroll around near a military complex and take pictures and videos of it.

-Yes! I'm talking of one of these buildings that have these signs at the fence:

This is what I was getting at. You can find democratic countries where photographing of military bases is completly legal. What more, in Czech Republic such signs have no effect on public places and can only restrict you inside the compound.

[sungsam]

No problem really mate ! I just want to mention case by case different conditions.

 

Sorry if you felt offended by me. My Rgds

Edited September 14, 2012 by sungsam

[PeterP]

I have problem understanding what your reaction was about.

Please read post #46 again - maybe you get the grip.

Here is a challenge:

Just pick out a democratic country of your choice and visit it as normal tourist....

 

...than stroll around near a military complex and take pictures and videos of it.

-Yes! I'm talking of one of these buildings that have these signs at the fence:

This is what I was getting at. You can find democratic countries where photographing of military bases is completly legal. What more, in Czech Republic such signs have no effect on public places and can only restrict you inside the compound.

 

 

Well - I really don't care what is possible in other countries. This thread is about two being arrested in Greek because they din't made themselves familar what isn't possible at the place they are visiting. -Point-

 

Further (BTW you quoted it twice) I wrote:

"-Yes! I'm talking of one of these buildings that have these signs at the fence:"

 

...and your wrote yourself

Different country, different approach, different laws. So please, let's stop with the generalization.

So please ask yourself again who is generalizing something?

Echo38 or I...

 

Still having problems with my "reaction" ? - fine no problem for me - that are your problems, not mine.

[159th_Viper]

Let's just all calm down Gentlemen.

 

Kindly address the topic and not the person: Next post that personalises the issue between forum members will be removed and the post subject to the inevitable administrative sanction - let's please not go there.

 

Ta

[Speed]

It was an *assault rifle :chair:

 

*Referring to said rifle as a 'gun' earned you the Wrath of God......To this very day I get spasms when someone refers to a rifle, pistol or revolver as a 'gun' :P

 

 

:megalol:

 

How big was the "clip"?

:P

 

*runs away*

[159th_Viper]

... "clip"?...

Aaaarrggghhhh..........

 

 

The magazine held 50x5.56mm rounds :P

Edited September 14, 2012 by 159th_Viper

[PeterP]

...oh my...

I better should have posted somthing about the eurovision Song Contest.

[manfrez01]

Now they have more material for missions :devil_2:

[Rusty_M]

Sorry Viper. Must've almost killed you when I mentioned a "gun" in the Funny Stuff thread.

[Rotorhead]

Now they have more material for missions :devil_2:

 

Haha!

 

Mission 1: Photograph the Greek military base. Avoid being spotted by the guards.

 

Mission 2: Escape from Greek prison.

 

 

Joking aside.

 

Yes, in some countries, the restrictions of photography are a little over the top. For example, there are countries in the world, where you cannot take pictures of railway. I can't see, how in 21st century, a picture of a locomotive can endanger nation security.

 

But the point is, it's no matter how stupid or absurd a law is. Breaking it will still get you arrested.

 

The golden rule is: You don't pay for asking. If you are not sure, just ask: "Can I take pictures here?". In the worst case, you will get a "No". But you won't end in prison.

[Togg]

Now they have more material for missions :devil_2:

 

Phoenix Wright: Ace Atorney / Arma 3 cross-over ? :)

[Rusty_M]

Objection!

 

that guy has a tank!

[Grimes]

Now they have more material for missions :devil_2:

 

The ARMA community are quite quick at making things like that. I've already seen some posts about using a user-made Greek island to do virtual rescue attempts. Not to mention a recreation of the Bin Laden raid was online shortly after the announcement.I'm sure once ARMA 3 comes out there will be some missions created trying to be as accurate to the events as possible.

[Wichid]

Patrol Ops 3: Features developer hostage rescue. Unfortunately the AI will still refuse to board the chopper.

[Napa]

Bohemia must be paying good money as well for 2 employees to go into that much trouble.

[Wolfie]

The ARMA community are quite quick at making things like that. I've already seen some posts about using a user-made Greek island to do virtual rescue attempts. Not to mention a recreation of the Bin Laden raid was online shortly after the announcement.I'm sure once ARMA 3 comes out there will be some missions created trying to be as accurate to the events as possible.

 

If only the dammed character could move better than Frankenstein's monster.

 

Patrol Ops 3: Features developer hostage rescue. Unfortunately the AI will still refuse to board the chopper.

 

Quite likely! :D

[sungsam]

Patrol Ops 3: Features developer hostage rescue. Unfortunately the AI will still refuse to board the chopper.

 

You have to mod them to be dressed like tourists. So if operation fails and captured, the will be able to claim that they were on vocations in Greece, and have no idea of operations prohibited.

 

That way they will board the chopper;)

Edited September 17, 2012 by sungsam

[Eight Ball]

if some of you, in addition of your super jokes, want to sign a petition here is the link : http://www.helpivanmartin.org

Edited September 17, 2012 by Eight Ball

[Eight Ball]

More info from armaholic :

 

Ota Vrtatko has sent us an official statement with more background info about the situation of both Bohemia Interactive dev's who were jailed in Greece.

 

 

• Quote :
  Prague, 17th September 2012
   
  Since last Sunday, when two Bohemia Interactive, a.s. employees, were arrested on the Greek island of Lemnos, much speculation about what happened has circulated online. It’s been rumoured that they entered restricted military areas or gathered photographic references of military bases in order to improve the visual fidelity of Arma 3, a PC game currently under development by our company. Far in advance of any formal charges - only hours after they were detained by the local police - many media outlets immediately suggested spying and, only one day later, specifically referenced Arma 3.
   
  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. These employees - our friends, Ivan Buchta and Martin Pezlar - 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 sincerely hope that the whole situation is no more than an unfortunate and deep misunderstanding. The in-game Limnos is close to completion, and it’s far from an identical replication of the real place. It was heavily modified to fit the game’s backstory, a purely fictional 2035 setting. It was rescaled to only 75% of the real island, and it does not attempt to display any real world military installations situated on the island of Lemnos.
   
  To summarize the situation:
  
  • They visited Lemnos on their holiday as tourists.
    
  • They did not enter any military area.
    
  • They did not take any pictures of any military objects to be used in Arma 3.
    

   

  Martin and Ivan, currently being detained in Mytilene, relayed this message to their friends and family:

  • "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."
    

   

  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. Any form of support for our imprisoned colleagues and friends will be more than welcome.

EDIT : oups, sorry for the double post

Edited September 17, 2012 by Eight Ball

[sungsam]

if some of you, in addition of your super jokes, want to sign a petition here is the link : http://www.helpivanmartin.org

 

Thank you for finding my sense of Humor Super. :thumbup:

 

It seems that you also have to practice your tollerance.

 

Finally, a communication path between BI and Hellenic Authorities has been established. Providing that no other indications exist against, my belife is any misunderstanding will be resolved in a rightful way for all sides.

 

What really impress me is the complete unawareness of BI staff for local Laws since you need special allowance for intensive photographing of military installations , surounding ground morphology and road network to them. This is not what every tourist does exactly. It is for arma 3 mapping but it is by nature tricky and suspicious.

 

Did they declared ahead of time their presense or intensions to authorities ? after been watched for, I'm pretty sure that sound the alarm for been arrested.

Edited September 17, 2012 by sungsam