Aware of Moscow embassy worker's arrest over spying for Pakistan, co-operating with investigation: MEA

According to the ministry of external affairs, Satendra Siwal, an employee of the Indian Embassy in Moscow, was detained for allegedly spying for the ISI, Pakistan’s intelligence organization.

The MEA said in a statement that the ministry is cooperating with the investigating authorities on the case. Siwal, a resident of the Shahmahiuddinpur hamlet in Hapur, was taken into custody by the Uttar Pradesh Police’s Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) in Lucknow.

“MEA is aware of the arrest of Satendra Siwal in Uttar Pradesh, who was posted as Security Assistant in Embassy of India, Moscow. MEA continues to work with the investigative authorities in the matter,” the MEA statement read.

According to the ATS, Satendra Siwal shared sensitive information with his ISI handlers and engaged in anti-Indian activities.

“The ATS was receiving intelligence from various confidential sources that the handlers of the Pakistani intelligence agency ISI, through some persons, were luring the employees of the Ministry of External Affairs with money to obtain strategically and strategically important information related to the Indian Army that is likely to pose a huge threat to the internal and external security of India,” the ATS said in a statement.

After conducting a thorough investigation and collecting intelligence, Satendra Siwal was called to the ATS Field Unit in Meerut to be questioned. He allegedly gave unsatisfactory replies to questions before eventually confessing to his involvement in espionage. Since 2021, Satendra Siwal has been employed by the Indian Embassy in Moscow as an India Based Security Assistant (IBSA).

Sections of the Official Secrets Act and the charge of waging war against the nation have given rise to a formal complaint against Siwal.