Matthew Van Dyke, an American citizen, along with six Ukrainian nationals, was arrested in March for allegedly entering India illegally via the Mizoram border. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has now informed a Delhi court that they were reportedly involved in a drone attack targeting a civilian aircraft in Myanmar.
Digital Evidence Crucial in Ongoing Legal Case
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has presented significant findings to the court from devices seized during recent arrests. These devices contained photos, videos, and voice samples that have emerged as vital evidence in the case. The NIA reported that the analysis of this data has uncovered several incriminating details.
To strengthen their case, the agency asserts the importance of confronting the arrested individuals with this digital evidence. This process aims to verify the information gathered and cross-reference it with the statements provided by the accused.
Granting the NIA’s plea, the special court observed that interrogating the accused is part of the investigative agency’s procedure and that courts should generally not interfere in the investigation process. The agency has also included videos found in these devices in its investigation that are considered vital for establishing the details of the attack on the aircraft and the role of the drone network. However, the investigation into these allegations is ongoing, and the specific role of any individual or module has yet to be conclusively proven in court. The agency is also attempting to ascertain the nature of the contact between the accused and the extent of their network with armed groups based in Myanmar.
The agency told the Patiala House court that the group was also allegedly planning to carry out terror activities in India and sought to interrogate Van Dyke and Ukrainian national Kaminskyi Viktor in Tihar jail, where they are lodged. NIA said that its investigation indicates that the drones used in the attack were allegedly supplied to local rebel groups through a network connected to the “Matthew Van Dyke module. This interrogation is necessary to bring the investigation to a logical conclusion, according to the NIA.
