Myanmar Training Camp Case: Court Allows 6 Ukrainians to Stay Abroad
A special NIA court has extended permission for six Ukrainian nationals to remain outside India in the Myanmar Training Camp case.
In a significant development regarding the Myanmar Training Camp case, the Rouse Avenue court has extended the permission for six Ukrainian nationals to remain outside India. The decision, delivered on Friday, allows the accused individuals to stay in their home country until the next scheduled hearing on February 24.
Court Grants Extension and Travel Permission
Special NIA Judge Prashant Sharma presided over the matter, during which the court heard submissions from both the prosecution and the defense. While the six Ukrainians were granted an extension to stay abroad, the court also permitted Matthew Aaron Vandyke, a US national and co-accused in the case, to travel to the USA.
Unlike the Ukrainian nationals, Matthew Aaron Vandyke appeared physically before the court for the hearing. However, his application requesting the release of his personal articles remains pending with the court.
Health Concerns and Investigation Status
The counsel representing the Ukrainian nationals informed the court that the individuals were currently unwell, which served as a basis for the request to extend their stay outside India. After considering these submissions, the court granted the extension.
On the prosecution side, Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Rahul Tyagi, supported by advocates Jatin Khatri and Amit Rohila, represented the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The NIA informed the court that the investigation is still ongoing and pledged to provide updates on the developments during the next hearing in February.
Background of the Travel Permission
This extension follows an earlier order from September 24, where the Special NIA court had initially allowed Vandyke and the six Ukrainians to visit their families in the USA and Ukraine, respectively, for one month. That permission was subject to strict conditions and formalities, including a requirement to inform the court within 72 hours of their return to India.
Vandyke had complied with these orders and returned to India to appear before the court. All seven foreign nationals involved in the case had previously been granted default bail.
The Accused Involved
The individuals granted permission to travel and stay abroad include:
- Matthew Aaron Vandyke (USA)
- Hurba Petro (Ukraine)
- Slyviak Taras (Ukraine)
- Ivan Sukmanovskyi (Ukraine)
- Stefankiv Marian (Ukraine)
- Honcharuk Maksim alias Maksym (Ukraine)
- Kaminskyi Viktor (Ukraine)
The court noted that the accused have expressed their willingness to cooperate with the NIA investigation. As part of their bail and travel conditions, they are required to join the investigation either physically or via video conferencing as demanded by the agency.