Full Breakdown
US Mercenary and Ukrainian National Released on Bail After India Drops Terror Charges
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Bail Granted to Foreign Detainees
On September 25 2026, U.S. citizen Matthew VanDyke and a Ukrainian national were released from Delhi’s Tihar jail and permitted to travel home for a month to see their families. Both were among seven foreign nationals arrested by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) on accusations of operating a drone-warfare training camp linked to ethnic armed groups in Myanmar. The court granted them default bail after the NIA failed to complete its investigation within the statutory 180-day period.
Background & Context: Charges Under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act
The NIA initially charged the group under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), a stringent anti-terrorism law that requires foreign entrants to hold permits for travel to India’s northeast before crossing into Myanmar. The agency later removed the terrorism-related UAPA provisions from its chargesheet, stating it lacked direct evidence that the alleged activities threatened India’s sovereignty or its citizens.
Data & Statistics: Scope of the Arrests
Official Statements & Responses: NIA and Judicial Rationale
The NIA explained that the removal of UAPA provisions was due to insufficient proof of harm to India and the procedural lapse in completing the investigation within the mandated timeframe. Judicial authorities emphasized that the default bail was granted in accordance with legal requirements after the investigation deadline elapsed.
Why It Matters: Implications for India’s Anti-Terror Framework
The case highlights challenges in applying the UAPA to foreign actors involved in cross-border security activities. Critics may view the bail as a signal that India’s stringent anti-terror statutes can be softened when procedural deadlines are missed, while officials stress adherence to due-process safeguards. The release also underscores diplomatic sensitivities surrounding the detention of foreign nationals linked to conflicts in neighboring Myanmar.