Thirty-seven-year-old Rinson Jose, a Norwegian citizen from Wayanad, Kerala, who disappeared after the pager blasts in Lebanon last year, has now got in touch with his family in India, saying he is safe.

Jose’s company Nortal Global Ltd based in Bulgaria came under the scanner following the blasts in Lebanon on September 17, 2024. Jose had gone off the radar since then. The series of blasts, which killed over 40 people, rocked Lebanon and Syria. International security agencies that took up the investigation process found that hundreds of pagers were sold ahead of the blasts. Some media reports linked the same to Jose’s company.

However, investigation by the Bulgarian National Security Agency revealed that Nortal Global had “not carried out any transaction linked to the sale or purchase of the merchandise” or that which “falls under laws on terrorism financing”. In line with this, another media report also confirmed that Jose was at a conference in Boston at the time of the blasts.

At this juncture, Jose, who was incommunicado, has contacted his family in India, saying he is safe. His parents Moothedath Jose and Gracy are in Kerala, while Jose and his wife have been in Norway for many years. He had last visited India in January 2024.

Jose had also messaged his family in Kerala that he had resumed employment in Norway. More details on his whereabouts are to be verified. – editor@nrifocus.com