Six citizens of Ukraine were detained on March 13 on charges of illegally crossing the borders of India and Myanmar, illegally importing large batches of drones from Europe to Myanmar through India, and training opponents of the junta in operating UAVs.
Ukrainian authorities have appealed to India to release six Ukrainians detained in the country. On March 16, a court extended the detention of the Ukrainians, as well as one U.S. citizen detained with them, until March 27, Reuters reported, citing the court's ruling on Wednesday, March 18.
According to this information, the seven detainees are accused of illegal entry into the northeastern Indian state of Mizoram, illegal border crossing from neighboring Myanmar, and training members of ethnic groups fighting against the ruling military junta in the use of drones. Additionally, they are charged with the illegal import of large batches of drones from Europe to Myanmar through Indian territory, the agency noted.
Ukraine Demands Access to Detained Citizens
Ukrainian Ambassador to New Delhi Oleksandr Polischuk met with a senior official of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, Sibi George, on March 16 and handed him a note of protest demanding the "immediate release of Ukrainian citizens and access to them."
"We draw attention to the fact that there are certain restricted access zones for foreign citizens in India, entry to which is possible only with special permits," the embassy stated. "At the same time, proper marking of such zones on the ground is often absent, which creates a risk of unintentional violation of established rules."
Kyiv Denies Reports from Indian and Russian Media
On March 17, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the detention of six citizens of the country in India on March 13. The ministry indicated that there are currently no facts confirming the involvement of Ukrainians in preparing terrorist acts, as previously reported by Indian and Russian media. Some publications distort existing facts, are manipulative in nature, and make unfounded accusations, officials in Kyiv stated.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the charges relate to unauthorized stay in the state of Mizoram, the visit to which requires special permission, as well as probable illegal border crossing with Myanmar.
Kyiv also noted that employees of the Ukrainian embassy in India arrived at the court hearing on March 16 but were not allowed to communicate directly with the detainees. "Contrary to established international practice, the Ukrainian embassy in the Republic of India did not receive official notification from the competent Indian authorities about the detention of Ukrainian citizens. The Ukrainian side insists on the immediate provision of unhindered consular access to the detainees," the statement from the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs was quoted by the publication 'Ukrainian Truth'.
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