The NIA has sought a 15-day remand for their interrogation. | Photo credit: PTI
A Delhi court on Friday (March 27, 2026) extended by 10 days the remand of seven foreign nationals who are in the custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for suspected links to ethnic armed groups in Myanmar. The agency requested a 15-day detention for their interrogation.
Special Judge Prashant Sharma, presiding over the proceedings at the NIA headquarters, citing the sensitive nature of the investigation and its possible international implications, ordered that the accused be brought before the court again on April 6.
The accused are American national Matthew Aaron Van Dyke and six Ukrainian nationals – Hurba Petro, Slyviak Taras, Ivan Sukmanovskyi, Stefankiv Marian, Honcharuk Maksim and Kaminskyi Viktor. They were arrested earlier this month. The NIA said it was involved in the supply of weapons and military equipment to and training of ethnic armed groups operating in Myanmar. A case was registered against them under Section 18 (conspiracy) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act along with relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act.
Court sources said the accused had filed a request on Friday to appoint an independent translator to ensure a fair trial.
According to the NIA, the accused entered India on tourist visas and traveled to Guwahati before proceeding to Mizoram without obtaining the required permits. They are said to have then illegally crossed into Myanmar to train ethnic armed organisations.
Published – 28 March 2026 00:08 IST
