What We Know About the Connections of Several Hungarian, Bulgarian, and Norwegian Companies with Hezbollah's Beepers

Recent findings indicate that a Bulgarian company with Norwegian connections played a role in the supply chain of beepers that exploded in Lebanon last week, killing 37 people and injuring thousands more. These beepers, used by members of the Lebanese militia group Hezbollah, detonated simultaneously across Lebanon on September 18. They resembled devices manufactured by the Taiwanese company Gold Apollo, which announced on the same day that it had outsourced their production to a Hungarian company called BAC Consulting. However, new findings from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty show that the story does not end there, as traces of companies and individuals in Bulgaria and Norway are also linked to the production of these beepers. The remains of an exploded beeper in the southern suburbs of Beirut raise questions about the role of the Bulgarian company. According to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, a Bulgarian company named 'Norta Global,' registered in Sofia in April 2022, is another potential player in the supply chain of these deadly beepers. Sources from Telex.hu indicate that the Hungarian company only played a paper role in the production of these beepers, with the actual logistics carried out by a Bulgarian entity called 'Norta Global.' Examination of the company's documents in Bulgaria shows that it has no employees, minimal profits, and no independent address. When reporters from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty visited this address on September 18, Atanas Atanasov, one of the owners of the company 'Empressi,' which represents Norta Global, refused to answer any questions. Similarly, Eli Atanasova, a co-owner of Empressi, abruptly ended the call when asked about Norta Global. Their lawyer later confirmed Norta Global as one of their clients but provided no details about its sole owner, Rinson Jose. Rinson Jose, a Norwegian citizen born in 1985, has a limited online presence. His LinkedIn profile indicates a background in business management, with education in India and Oslo, Norway's capital. His professional experience includes various business positions in Oslo, and he is registered on an entrepreneurial platform 'looking for partners and funding.' Jose is also linked to a company called 'Nortalink'; while the Norta Global website currently does not exist, an archived version has a link to Nortalink's Facebook page. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty attempted to contact Jose via LinkedIn and a phone number associated with Norta Global but received no response. While the 'Bulgarian State Agency for National Security' announced on September 19 that, contrary to reports regarding Norta Global, customs records show no trace of the beepers leaving Bulgarian territory, it later issued another statement on September 20 denying the company's role in the explosions in Lebanon. This Bulgarian government agency stated, 'In cooperation with the agency, the Ministry of Interior, and customs, it was definitively established that no communication devices were produced, imported, or exported in Bulgaria.' Additionally, the agency claimed that 'Norta Global' had not conducted any financial operations that fall under the framework of anti-terrorism financing laws and has no business connections with individuals or entities sanctioned by the UN Security Council or the EU. Radio Free Europe's investigation into international trade databases found no record of imports or exports for Norta Global or from Bulgaria to Taiwan. Information regarding Rinson Jose is scarce, but the public background of the Hungarian woman behind 'BAC,' the company identified by Gold Apollo as the manufacturer of the beepers, is much more notable. Kristiana Barsuni-Arsidiakono, the founder of the Hungarian company 'BAC,' confirmed her connection to the beepers in an interview with NBC but claimed she was merely a broker. Following the news release, the 'BAC' website went offline on September 18, but archived versions show that its owners claimed to provide consulting in environmental, development, and international affairs. On this site, Barsuni-Arsidiakono is introduced as the CEO and founder, described as a strategic advisor in innovation and domestic affairs. Her diverse activities include physics, sustainability, business development, digitalization, and even art and crafts. She also lists organizations such as UNESCO, the European Commission, and the International Atomic Energy Agency among her previous clients. Among her academic achievements, Barsuni-Arsidiakono holds a PhD and several master's degrees from reputable British institutions. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has confirmed the validity of her PhD from University College London, but other universities and academic centers have yet to respond to inquiries regarding this matter. Her internship in 2008 at the International Atomic Energy Agency has also been confirmed. Furthermore, a Hungarian publication named 'HVG' quoted Akos Kover, a former scientific colleague, stating that 'Kristina was struggling to find a job after her PhD' and lived with her grandmother for years. The report continues to quote this former colleague of Ms. Arsidiakono, stating that Kristina has not done any scientific work since completing her PhD, and her recent attempts to contact her former colleague via email have been unsuccessful. Although Barsuni-Arsidiakono's presence on social media remains visible, including an Instagram page showcasing her paintings, her digital footprint is gradually disappearing. Until recently, she was introduced as the Chief Sustainability Officer of the global impact group Eden, but now the entire 'Who We Are' section, including her profile, has been removed from the page. Additionally, her LinkedIn profile claims that Arsidiakono is active on the board of the Earth Child Institute, but this group has told the BBC that she has never been part of their board. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has attempted to contact Arsidiakono through phone, email, or in person but has not yet succeeded.