NIA Chargesheets Seven Foreigners Over Myanmar Links, Keeps UAPA Probe Open

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet against a United States national and six Ukrainian citizens arrested earlier this year over their alleged association with Indian ethnic armed groups, even as its investigation into possible terror offences remains open.

The seven accused are Matthew Van Dyke, a 46-year-old American, and Ukrainians Petro Hurba, Taras Slyviak, Ivan Sukmanovskyi, Marian Stefankiv, Maksim Honcharuk and Viktor Kaminskyi. They were arrested in March on allegations of conspiring to carry out terrorist activities against India. The NIA registered the case on March 13 after directions from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The chargesheet, filed on Tuesday before a special NIA court in Delhi, invokes Sections 21 and 23 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025. It does not, however, press charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

According to investigators, the probe has established that Van Dyke had military links with Myanmar-based ethnic armed groups, including providing drone-warfare training. He is also said to have met the other accused in Ukraine last year.

The agency's findings so far indicate that the accused entered India in December 2025 and subsequently crossed the Indo-Myanmar border illegally to reach Victoria Camp in Myanmar. There, they allegedly trained members of Myanmar-based ethnic armed groups — among them the Chin National Front and the Kachin Independence Army — in drone warfare, drone operations, drone assembly and jamming technology. Evidence also pointed to their participation in joint combat operations in Myanmar, the investigation found.

The probe further established that the accused received logistical support from members of the Chin National Front, and that the mission was financed through funds arranged by a commander of a Myanmar-based rebel group.

During the investigation, the NIA seized consignments containing drones and related equipment that Customs authorities in Delhi had detained. Substantial quantities of electronic devices and other alleged incriminating material were also seized and are currently under scrutiny.

A source said the probe has not yet found conclusive evidence that the accused were involved in activities directed against India or had trained Indian insurgent groups, though investigators have not ruled out the possibility. The agency will continue examining terror-related offences to ascertain whether the accused had any links with Indian insurgent groups or were involved in activities against the country's security.

"If evidence is found later to justify charges under UAPA, it may be added in a supplementary chargesheet," an official said.