Mon Feb 24 21:35:00 UTC 2025: ## Naval Espionage Couple Sentenced in Visakhapatnam
**Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh –** A husband and wife were sentenced to five and a half years of simple imprisonment and fined ₹5,000 by a NIA Special Court in Visakhapatnam on Monday. Abdul Rehman and Shaista Qaiser pleaded guilty to charges under Sections 17 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, related to a high-profile naval espionage case linked to Pakistani intelligence agencies. An additional year of imprisonment will be served if the fine is not paid.
The couple, arrested between December 2019 and June 2020, were found to have acted as agents for foreign intelligence agencies, engaging in anti-India espionage activities. NIA investigations revealed connections with Pakistani agents through relatives and a visit to Pakistan between August 14 and September 1, 2018. They allegedly used online money transfer points to fund other accused involved in leaking sensitive defense information. This case involves 15 accused, charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, Official Secrets Act, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
First Piper 