Tychonoff property for linear groups

A criterion for a wide class of topological groups which includes linear discrete groups and Lie groups to be Tychonoff groups is established. The main result provides a criterion for an almost polycyclic group to have the Tychonoff property. By the well-known Tits alternative, this yields the required criterion for linear discrete groups. In conclusion it is pointed out that a particular case of the presented proof yields a Tychonoff property criterion for Lie groups. In addition, an example of a polycyclic group without Tychonoff subgroups of finite index is constructed.