An Indian court extended the custody of seven foreigners accused of supplying military hardware to Myanmar-based ethnic rebel groups.
NEW DELHI
A special court extended the judicial custody of six Ukrainians and one American citizen for thirty days.
The group is accused of training ethnic rebel groups in Myanmar and supplying them with high-tech military hardware. Held under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the suspects allegedly entered India on tourist visas before crossing illegally into Myanmar.
The hearing at Patiala House Court was conducted behind closed doors due to the “sensitive nature” of the investigation. Special Judge Prashant Sharma denied entry to officials from the Ukrainian and U.S. embassies, explaining that while they have consular access to visit the prisoners, they cannot observe the secret legal proceedings. The NIA argues that these individuals are experts in drone warfare and jamming technology, which they allegedly provided to groups linked to Indian insurgents.
Defense lawyers raised concerns about the health of the American suspect, Matthew Aaron Van Dyke, requesting private hospital treatment. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian suspects asked for virtual meetings with their families, but the court noted that strict rules for terror-related cases limit such privileges. The NIA claims the group smuggled a large shipment of drones from Europe through India to reach the conflict zone.
Federal investigators are currently tracing the group’s digital footprint to see if any local rebel groups assisted their travel. With the extension of their jail time, authorities have another month to uncover the full extent of this international conspiracy that potentially threatens India’s national security and border stability.