Indian Court Extends Detention of Six Ukrainians Accused of Terrorism

On April 6, 2023, the Special Court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) of India ruled to extend the detention of six Ukrainian citizens, who are under suspicion of planning terrorist activities. The court hearing was conducted behind closed doors, and representatives from Ukraine were not permitted to attend the proceedings.

In a statement to the media, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine confirmed that the court has kept the detainees in custody for an additional 30 days, despite numerous requests from the Ukrainian side for access to the detained individuals. It was noted that representatives from the Ukrainian Embassy were absent from the last two court sessions, which raised concerns among Ukrainian officials.

The Ukrainian Embassy in India reported that they are utilizing all possible political and diplomatic tools to gain permission for the consul to access the detained Ukrainians. This issue has become extremely important, as the Ukrainian side aims to ensure the rights of its citizens and obtain information about their condition.

The background of this incident began in March when Indian media announced the arrest of six Ukrainians on Indian territory on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine immediately responded to this news, emphasizing the absence of any evidence linking the detainees to illegal activities.

On March 27, the Special Court of the National Investigation Agency of India had already decided to extend the detention of the Ukrainians until April 6. Since the arrests took place on March 13, the Indian authorities have not granted access to the Ukrainian consul for the detained individuals, which has prompted international reactions and raised concerns among human rights defenders.

This case has become a topic of discussion on the international stage, as issues of human rights and adherence to legislation in countries detaining foreigners always attract significant attention. The Ukrainian side continues to insist on the observance of its citizens' rights and their safety during detention.

The situation surrounding the detained Ukrainians remains tense, and further actions by Ukrainian diplomacy could influence the development of events. It is crucial for the international community to continue monitoring this case, as it may have serious implications for relations between Ukraine and India, as well as for the human rights situation in the country.