KOZHIKODE: A Norwegian citizen from Wayanad, Kerala, whose company was investigated following pager blasts in Lebanon, has contacted his family confirming his safety and resumed employment.
Rinson Jose (37) informed his uncle Thankachan that Norwegian police have cleared him of any wrongdoing in the investigation that followed the Sept 2024 attacks. Thankachan said Jose has messaged his family saying he is fine and has taken up employment, adding that Norwegian police realised that he was innocent and not linked to the blasts. According to the uncle, Jose has returned to Norway, though this information could not be independently verified. He added Jose’s wife was also in Norway.
The New York Times reported on Sunday that Jose was attending a technology conference in Boston when the blasts occurred. Citing a senior Israeli defence official, the report indicated Jose is now in a “safe place” but did not disclose the location. The article also alleged his involvement with Mossad front companies.
Jose had remained incommunicado since Sept 17 after Lebanon was rocked by a series of pager blasts that killed nearly 40 people, including people in Syria, and injured thousands. Norta Global Ltd, based in Bulgaria and allegedly owned by Jose, came under investigation by international security agencies following reports linking it to the sale of hundreds of pagers.
While Bulgarian media initially reported that Sofia-based Norta Global had facilitated the pager sales, the Bulgarian National Security Agency later stated that Norta Global and its owner had “not carried out any transaction linked to the sale or purchase of the merchandise” or that which “falls under laws on terrorism financing”.
Jose, son of Moothedath Jose and Gracy who used to work as tailors, had gone abroad with his twin brother, who now works in the UK. He had been living in Norway with his wife and had last come home in Nov 2023 and returned in January 2024.
