Kerala-born Norwegian businessman Rinson Jose is under scrutiny after his company, Norta Global, was reportedly linked to the sale of pagers used in recent blasts in Lebanon. According to Hungarian news site Telex, the allegations have prompted the Bulgarian national security agency to initiate an investigation into the claims against the company, which is based in Sofia, Bulgaria.
As part of the investigation, Norta Global deleted its website, which previously promoted its technology consultancy services. Furthermore, officials found that the company’s registered office could not be located.
In response to inquiries from Reuters, Jose declined to comment on the situation. However, the Bulgarian national security agency stated that there is no evidence of Norta Global being involved in the sale or purchase of pagers for any purposes linked to terrorism financing.
In light of the accusations, local authorities in Kerala, including the Kerala Police and central government agencies, are conducting background checks on Jose’s family in his native village of Ondayangadi. The case has raised concerns about the potential misuse of technology in illegal activities, as investigations continue to determine the full scope of the situation.
This incident underscores the importance of vigilance in monitoring business practices, particularly in industries connected to sensitive technologies.