ICOM, a Japanese firm, has stated that the model of its walkie-talkie allegedly linked to the explosions in Lebanon was discontinued a decade ago. The company mentioned that it was unable to determine whether the devices were counterfeit or shipped from its company.
The handheld radio in question, known as the IC-V82, was produced and exported, including to the Middle East, from 2004 to October 2014. ICOM confirmed that the production of both the radios and their batteries was ceased around ten years ago.
ICOM highlighted that the IC-V82 radios did not have a hologram seal to distinguish counterfeit products, making it challenging to verify the origin of the devices. The company emphasized that since the discontinuation of the model, no further shipments have been made from their end.
Lebanon's communications ministry revealed that the walkie-talkies used in the tragic attack that claimed the lives of at least 20 individuals and left 450 others injured were of the discontinued IC-V82 model manufactured by the Japanese firm.
The ministry further stated that the IC-V82 radios were not supplied by a recognized agent, were unlicensed, and had not been vetted by the security services.
ICOM assured that all their radios are manufactured in Wakayama Prefecture under stringent management systems to ensure that only specified parts are used in the products. The company clarified that none of their radios are manufactured overseas, and they maintain a strict policy of selling products for overseas markets exclusively through authorized distributors.
Moreover, ICOM mentioned that they adhere to strict export controls based on government security trade regulations to prevent any unauthorized distribution of their products.
