NIA Drops Terror Charges Against US Mercenary VanDyke, Six Ukrainians; Books Them Under Foreigners Act Instead English Bombay Samachar

NIA Drops Terror Charges Against US Mercenary VanDyke, Six Ukrainians; Books Them Under Foreigners Act Instead In a major twist, the 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 group had initially been charged under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act after being arrested at various airports in a secret operation carried out by Indian agencies. Instead, the NIA has charged VanDyke and the others under Sections 21 and 23 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, which deal with violations related to the entry, movement, and stay of foreigners in India. When asked about the terror charges being dropped against the mercenaries, the Ministry of External Affairs did not provide a reason, saying it was a 'legal matter.' What the NIA Chargesheet Says on VanDyke According to the NIA, the group entered India on valid visas before travelling to Mizoram, a protected area, and subsequently crossed into Myanmar, the chargesheet stated. While VanDyke was detained at Kolkata airport on March 13, the Ukrainian nationals were picked up at airports in Delhi and Lucknow. VanDyke was the biggest name caught in the NIA's net a well-known figure in conflict zones across the world. Believed to be linked to America's deep state, VanDyke is the founder of Sons of Liberty International (SOLI), a non-profit security firm that trains groups fighting authoritarian regimes. He has previously been involved in armed conflicts in Libya and Syria two countries where their leaders were toppled. After crossing into Myanmar from Mizoram, the NIA said VanDyke and the others came into contact with ethnic armed groups (EAGs), which have been waging an armed struggle against the Myanmar junta since the 2021 coup. The NIA has alleged that these EAGs were linked to insurgent outfits operating in India. Also Read:Rahul Gandhi's Air India Flight Aborts Landing in Lucknow Due to Gusty Winds, Lands Safely on Second Try The chargesheet also alleged that the American mercenary and the Ukrainian nationals brought a large consignment of drones from Europe to Myanmar via India. Last week, the NIA told the court that the group was involved in a drone attack on a civilian aircraft in Myanmar. Earlier this year, local reports in Myanmar said a passenger aircraft was struck by a suicide drone while preparing for take-off to Mandalay, though it is not immediately clear whether the NIA was referring to this specific attack. The NIA said it is also investigating the group's alleged links with Myanmar-based terror masterminds. The Delhi court has listed the matter for October 1.