New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed its initial chargesheet against US citizen Matthew VanDyke and six Ukrainians without invoking the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), even as it tells the court the terror-angle probe is still active.
Submitted on Tuesday to Delhi’s Special NIA Court, the document charges the seven only under Sections 21 and 23 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act. These are offences that can be addressed at the level of the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO).
Alleged Myanmar Link
The seven were arrested on March 13. According to the FIR, they entered restricted parts of Mizoram without valid permits, crossed into Myanmar and contacted ethnic armed organisations, including some banned in India, as reported by NDTV.
Investigators allege they trained these groups, supplied weapons and assisted with drone operations — conduct described as mercenary-style. On March 16, a court granted the NIA 11 days of custody of the accused.
‘Probe Still Under Way’
The agency stressed that leaving UAPA out of this chargesheet does not close that line of inquiry. NIA Special Public Prosecutor Rahul Tyagi told the court that the probe into UAPA-related offences is “still under way.”
He said if further investigation uncovers evidence establishing offences under the UAPA, the agency may file a supplementary charge sheet at a later stage.
Those Named
The case involves American Matthew VanDyke and six Ukrainians: Hurba Petro, Slyviak Taras, Ivan Sukmanovskyi, Stefankiv Marian, Honcharuk Maksim and Kaminskyi Viktor. VanDyke was arrested in Kolkata; three Ukrainians were picked up from Lucknow and three from Delhi.
VanDyke’s Family Seeks US Help
This comes after VanDyke’s family asked the US government to step in over his detention, before his scheduled interrogation on September 2 and 3. His relatives and lawyers have raised concerns about his health and how he is being held. They say he has an injured leg, worsening eyesight and reduced strength, and allege he has sometimes been denied his prescribed medicine and contact with family in the US.
From Libya To Myanmar Link
Matthew Aaron VanDyke describes himself as a security analyst, war correspondent and documentary filmmaker. He first gained international attention during the 2011 Libyan Civil War, when he joined rebel fighters on the ground and was imprisoned. After Libya, he founded Sons of Liberty International (SOLI), which provides military training and strategic advice to local armed groups in conflict zones around the world.
For now, the trial will proceed on immigration violations, while the NIA keeps the UAPA investigation active and may file a supplementary chargesheet if it finds stronger evidence.
