In big twist, NIA drops terror charges against US mercenary VanDyke and others

The NIA chargesheet, filed seven months after VanDyke and six other Ukrainian nationals were arrested at various airports, details how they entered India and their activities in Myanmar.

In Short

• NIA doesn't charge US citizen VanDyke under stringent anti-terror law
• VanDyke, six Ukrainians were arrested by NIA in March in secret ops
• VanDyke said to be part of deep state, linked to Libya, Syria conflicts

In a major twist, the NIA did not invoke 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. They were initially 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 others under Sections 21 and 23 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act. These sections deal with violations related to the entry, movement, and stay of foreigners in India.

When asked about terror charges being dropped against the mercenaries, the MEA did not provide any reason, saying it was a "legal matter".

WHAT DOES NIA CHARGESHEET SAY ON VANDYKE?

The NIA said the group entered India on valid visas before travelling to Mizoram, a protected area. They subsequently crossed into Myanmar, the chargesheet mentioned.

While VanDyke was detained at Kolkata airport on March 13, the Ukrainians were picked up at airports in Delhi and Lucknow. The big fish in NIA's net was VanDyke - a known name in conflict zones across the world.

Believed to be part of America's deep state, VanDyke is the founder of Sons of Liberty International (SOLI) - a non-profit security firm that provides training to groups fighting authoritarian regimes. He has previously been part of armed conflicts in Libya and Syria - two countries where their leaders were toppled.

After crossing into Myanmar from Mizoram, the NIA said VanDyke and others came into contact with ethnic armed groups (EAGs). These EAGs have been leading 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.

The chargesheet also alleged that the US mercenary and the Ukrainian nationals brought a large consignment of drones from Europe to Myanmar through 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 it was preparing for take-off to Mandalay. However, it is not immediately clear if the NIA was referring to this particular attack.

The NIA said it was also investigating the group's alleged links with Myanmar-based terror masterminds.

The Delhi court has listed the matter on October 1.

- Ends