NIA Charges Seven Foreign Nationals for Illegal Activities in India

NIA's Investigation into Foreign Nationals

New Delhi, Sept 9: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed charges against seven foreign nationals, including US citizen Matthew Aaron VanDyke, for allegedly entering, residing, and moving illegally within India. Their investigation revealed that these individuals traveled through Guwahati and Mizoram before crossing into Myanmar, where they purportedly trained ethnic armed groups.

The NIA is also examining potential connections between these individuals and insurgent factions in northeastern India, as well as a broader conspiracy that may pose a threat to national security.

The chargesheet, presented to Special Judge Prashant Sharma, accuses the seven of violating Sections 21 and 23 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act. Notably, the NIA did not apply the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in this instance, citing the need for further investigation to clarify the facts surrounding possible violations of anti-terrorism laws.

In addition to VanDyke, the accused include six Ukrainian nationals: Petro Hurba, Taras Slyviak, Ivan Sukmanovskyi, Marian Stefankiv, Maksim Honcharuk, and Viktor Kaminskyi, who are alleged to have acted as mercenaries.

The investigation indicates that VanDyke and the Ukrainians entered India in December 2025 on tourist visas, subsequently traveling to Guwahati and staying at various hotels.

They are said to have moved to Mizoram and crossed into Myanmar, reaching Victoria Camp, where they allegedly provided training to ethnic armed groups (EAGs).

The NIA noted that the accused planned their travel through India and Myanmar to evade detection.

While they entered India with valid travel documents, they failed to secure the necessary Protected Area Permit (PAP) for their visit to Mizoram in late December 2025.

Initially, the NIA registered a case against them under Section 18 of the UAPA, which pertains to conspiracy, along with relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

VanDyke was apprehended at Kolkata airport, while Hurba, Slyviak, and Sukmanovskyi were detained at Lucknow airport on March 13. Stefankiv, Honcharuk, and Kaminskyi were arrested at Delhi airport on the same day.

The agency stated that these arrests were part of a broader investigation to determine any links the accused may have with Indian insurgent groups in the Northeast.

“A significant portion of the ongoing investigation regarding the offences under the UAPA has been completed,” the chargesheet noted, emphasizing that additional time is needed to verify all facts.

The NIA's investigation continues to explore the alleged importation and recovery of a substantial number of drones and related equipment through India, as well as the analysis of numerous seized digital devices.

The agency believes that the investigation may uncover the accused's involvement in activities that threaten India's unity, integrity, security, and sovereignty, or in actions intended to instill fear among specific populations.

The NIA has requested authorization to proceed with further investigations under Section 193(9) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to explore all facets of what it describes as a larger conspiracy involving the arrested individuals and others.

While the seven have been charged with immigration-related offences, the NIA's inquiry into potential UAPA violations and their suspected ties to insurgent groups in the Northeast is ongoing.