In a major development, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has not invoked the anti-terror law in its chargesheet against American mercenary Matthew Aaron VanDyke and six Ukrainian nationals, who were arrested in March for allegedly training anti-India ethnic armed groups in Myanmar. The accused were initially booked under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act after being arrested at different airports during a covert operation conducted by Indian agencies.
Instead, the NIA has charged VanDyke and the others under Sections 21 and 23 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act. These provisions relate to violations concerning the entry, movement and stay of foreign nationals in India.
When asked why the terror charges against the alleged mercenaries had been dropped, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) offered no explanation and described it as a "legal matter".
WHAT DOES NIA CHARGESHEET SAY ON VANDYKE?
According to the NIA, the group entered India on valid visas before travelling to Mizoram, which is a protected area. The accused then crossed into Myanmar, the chargesheet stated.
VanDyke was detained at Kolkata airport on March 13, while the Ukrainian nationals were arrested at airports in Delhi and Lucknow. The key figure in the NIA's investigation was VanDyke, a well-known name in conflict zones around the world.
VanDyke, who is believed to have links with America's deep state, founded Sons of Liberty International (SOLI), a non-profit security organisation that trains groups involved in fighting authoritarian regimes. He has previously participated in armed conflicts in Libya and Syria, where the respective leaders were eventually overthrown.
After entering Myanmar from Mizoram, VanDyke and the other accused allegedly came into contact with ethnic armed groups (EAGs). These groups have been waging an armed campaign against Myanmar's military junta since the 2021 coup. The NIA has alleged that the EAGs had connections with insurgent organisations operating in India.
The chargesheet further alleges that VanDyke and the Ukrainian nationals transported a large shipment of drones from Europe to Myanmar via India.
Last week, the NIA told the court that the group had allegedly been involved in a drone attack targeting a civilian aircraft in Myanmar. Earlier this year, local media reports from Myanmar said a passenger plane was hit by a suicide drone while preparing for take-off for Mandalay. However, it remains unclear whether the NIA was referring to the same incident.
The agency has also said it is investigating the group's alleged connections with terror masterminds based in Myanmar.
