Kerala-born businessman linked to Hezbollah pager blasts? What report says
What's the story
An Indian-born Norwegian citizen, Rinson Jose, has been implicated in the investigation into the deadly pager blasts targeting Hezbollah operatives in Lebanon. The incident resulted in 12 fatalities and left thousands injured. Initial reports suggest that a Bulgarian company owned by Jose, originally from Wayanad, Kerala, may have supplied the pagers to the militant group.
Device origin
Pagers modified by Mossad, manufactured in Taiwan
The pagers, reportedly modified by Mossad to conceal three grams of explosives each, were initially believed to be manufactured by a Taiwan-based company, Gold Apollo. However, the company clarified that the specific model used in the blast, AR-924, was actually produced and sold by BAC Consulting KFT. This Hungary-based firm had been authorized to use Gold Apollo's trademark.
Investigation progress
Bulgarian security agency probes Jose's company
Two days post the blasts, Bulgaria's state security agency DANS announced its collaboration with the interior ministry to investigate a company later identified as Norta Global Ltd. Registered in Sofia in 2022, this company is owned by Rinson Jose. However, on Friday, DANS confirmed that the pagers used in the Lebanon blasts were neither imported nor manufactured in Bulgaria.
Official statement
No Bulgarian link to pager blasts, DANS confirms
DANS has definitively established that "no communication equipment corresponding to those that exploded on September 17 was imported, exported or manufactured in Bulgaria." The agency further stated that neither Norta Global Ltd nor its owner, Jose, had conducted any transactions related to the sale or purchase of the merchandise or anything falling under terrorism financing laws.
New probe
Norwegian police open preliminary investigation
Following the developments, police in Oslo, Norway have initiated a "preliminary investigation into the information that has emerged." Rinson Jose moved to Norway for higher studies and briefly worked in London before returning to Oslo. His LinkedIn profile reveals a nearly five-year tenure in digital customer support at Norwegian press group DN Media.
Communication breakdown
Family unable to contact Jose following blasts
Jose's relatives have reported a lack of contact with him for the past three days. A relative, Thankachen, stated that they "speak daily over the phone" but have been unable to reach Jose or his wife since the blasts. He expressed full trust in Jose, suggesting he may have been "trapped in these blasts."
Business details
Jose's company Norta Global reports significant revenue
Norta Global Ltd, founded by Rinson Jose, reported a revenue of $725,000 (approximately ₹6 crore) last year from consulting activities outside the European Union. The company was registered in Sofia, Bulgaria in 2022. Further details about its operations or business model have not been disclosed.