Matthew VanDyke
The family of American citizen Matthew VanDyke, who is currently in Tihar Jail in connection with a terrorism-related case in India, has appealed to the US government for urgent diplomatic intervention.
VanDyke’s family, through the organisation Sons of Liberty International, which he founded, has raised concerns about his health and alleged that he has not been receiving adequate access to prescribed medication or regular communication with his family in the United States.
Meanwhile, a Delhi court has permitted the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to interrogate VanDyke inside Tihar Jail. The agency is scheduled to question VanDyke and Ukrainian national Viktor Kaminskyi on September 2 and 3. Both are currently in judicial custody.
The NIA alleges that VanDyke and the Ukrainian nationals arrested along with him were involved in a conspiracy involving ethnic armed groups operating in India and neighbouring Myanmar.
According to the investigating agency, the accused allegedly assisted armed groups and provided training related to drone warfare.
VanDyke was arrested at Kolkata airport in March along with six Ukrainian nationals. The accused have been booked under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, or UAPA. The investigation remains ongoing.
VanDyke’s family and Sons of Liberty International have alleged that his health has deteriorated during his detention. They claim that he has suffered a leg injury, problems with his eyesight and a decline in physical strength.
The family has also alleged that he has been denied access to prescribed medication and regular communication with relatives in the US.
According to the family’s statement, VanDyke’s lawyers approached a Delhi court seeking permission for treatment at a private hospital and improved communication with his family. The family says both requests were rejected on June 1.
It also claims that VanDyke’s mother, who is over 80, was allowed only a five-minute emergency telephone call with him several months ago. These are claims made by the family and its organisation.
The family is now seeking urgent intervention from the US government and has reportedly contacted congressional offices and the US State Department.
The family’s statement also claims that US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor had briefed Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio about VanDyke’s situation during Rubio’s visit to New Delhi in May.
There has been no announcement of a new official US government intervention in the case based on the family’s latest appeal.
VanDyke describes himself as a security analyst, war correspondent and documentary filmmaker. He gained international attention after joining rebel forces during Libya’s civil war in 2011.
He later founded Sons of Liberty International, an organisation that describes its activities as providing military training and strategic assistance to groups operating in conflict zones.
Indian investigators, however, allege that VanDyke’s activities in India went beyond the operation of a private organisation and that he was involved in a conspiracy to train and assist armed groups. The NIA investigation into these allegations is continuing.
The NIA’s planned interrogation on September 2 and 3 is expected to be an important step in the investigation, while VanDyke’s family continues to press Washington for diplomatic intervention.
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