New Delhi, March 19 (NationPress) The Indian government announced on Thursday that the situation regarding the apprehension of six Ukrainian nationals is a "legal matter" under scrutiny by Indian authorities.

During a weekly press briefing on Thursday, the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Randhir Jaiswal, confirmed that India has received a request for consular access for the detained individuals from the Ukrainian Embassy.

When questioned about Ukraine's comments regarding the detention of its six citizens, Jaiswal remarked, "You are all aware of the case, and we are also informed. It is important to note that this is a legal matter, and relevant government agencies are currently investigating it. Regarding the consular access request, we have indeed received it, and we will address it in accordance with the legal stipulations pertinent to this case."

An American citizen and six Ukrainians are currently facing charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and have been ordered to 11-day custody by a special NIA court in Delhi.

Earlier, the Ukrainian Embassy in India expressed significant concern about the detention of its nationals, labeling it as "orchestrated and politically motivated." The Embassy firmly rejected any implications suggesting Ukrainian state involvement in supporting terrorist actions.

The Embassy stated: "In light of the publicly available data regarding the detention of six Ukrainian citizens, including media reports indicating that the initiation of these proceedings was influenced by information from the Russian side, we express serious concern over the possibility of this case being orchestrated and politically influenced, as evidenced by the current facts."

They continued: "Ukraine categorically rejects any insinuations about the involvement of the Ukrainian State in supporting terrorist activities. As a nation constantly facing the repercussions of Russian aggression, Ukraine takes a firm stance against terrorism in all its manifestations."

The Ukrainian Embassy reiterated its willingness to collaborate actively with Ukrainian and Indian authorities, particularly based on the existing bilateral Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, which allows for extensive mutual legal support and interaction.

In their statement, Ukraine expressed the hope that Indian authorities would ensure the legality, transparency, and openness of the proceedings, while also safeguarding the rights of the detained Ukrainian citizens per international law norms and principles.

The Embassy concluded by stating, "We want to emphasize that Ukraine has no interest in any actions that could threaten India's security. On the contrary, Ukraine consistently promotes the enhancement of security, trust, and cooperation with India as a valued and friendly nation."