The investigation into the recent pager blasts in Lebanon has revealed an unexpected link to a company owned by 37-year-old Indian-born entrepreneur and Norwegian citizen Rinson Jose, which is believed to be behind the series of explosions that reportedly killed over 30 people and injured thousands of Hezbollah members.
An Indian emigrant to Norway, Jose hails from Wayanad in Kerala. Reports suggest that his company in Bulgaria, Norta Global, was involved in the supply of the pagers to the militant group.
The pagers were manufactured by a Hungarian company, BAC Consulting, under the trademark of Taiwanese firm Gold Apollo, but were acquired through Norta Global.
The explosions, which occurred on Sep 17, have raised questions about the companies involved in the logistics behind the devices.
A report from a Hungarian media outlet has suggested that although BAC Consulting was named on paper that signed the contract with Gold Apollo, it was actually Norta Global that was behind the deal.
However, Bulgaria’s national security agency SANS has denied the passing of any such equipment through Bulgaria, thus clearing Jose and Norta Global of any direct involvement in the shipment of explosives related to the blasts.
“Following verifications, it has been indisputably established that no communication equipment corresponding to those that exploded on September 17 was imported, exported or manufactured in Bulgaria,” SANS said
Meanwhile, Jose’s family, based in Wayanad, Kerala, have expressed shock at his potential involvement.
Jose completed his MBA from Pondicherry University and his Master's in International social welfare and health policy from Oslo Metropolitan University. He has been living in Norway for more than a decade.
According to Jose's LinkedIn profile, he has been working at the Oslo-based DN Media group for five years and has several years of experience working with brands and publications.
