Trial begins against three suspects over explosion at the “Ibër-Lepenc” canal

Dragisha Viqentijeviq, Jovan Viqentijeviq and Igor Dimoviq appeared at the Basic Court in Pristina, where the continuation of the court hearing concerning the attack on the “Ibër-Lepenc” canal in Zubin Potok has begun.

The two Viqentijeviq brothers are accused of endangering the constitutional order by destroying or damaging public installations and equipment, an offense linked to the commission of a terrorist act. They also face charges of unauthorized possession of weapons.

In addition to these offenses, Jovan Viqentijeviq is also charged with espionage, while Igor Dimoviq is charged with unauthorized possession of weapons.

The incident for which the trial is being conducted took place on November 29, 2024, in the village of Varagë in the Municipality of Zubin Potok. According to the indictment, a bag containing approximately 20 kilograms of TNT explosives had been placed in the “Ibër-Lepenc” canal, while Jovan Viqentijeviq is suspected of having activated the fuse.

The explosion caused damage to the water supply network and put the water supply to the Kosovo Energy Corporation’s power plants at risk, thereby also threatening electricity production.

One of the first pieces of evidence presented by the prosecution is a comparative analysis of soil found on seized boots and samples collected near the area where the explosion occurred. According to the indictment, FBI experts from the United States of America also participated in this examination process.

The prosecution estimates that the match between the soil samples establishes a link between the Viqentijeviq brothers and the site of the attack.

The indictment was filed by the Special Prosecution after investigations conducted together with the Kosovo Police, specifically the Directorate Against Terrorism, as well as in cooperation with European partners. The defendants are being prosecuted for the criminal offenses of “Endangering the constitutional order by destroying or damaging public installations and equipment,” under Article 122 in connection with “Committing a terrorist act,” “Unauthorized possession of weapons” and “Espionage.”

According to the allegations in the indictment, on November 29, 2024, in the section of the “Ibër-Lepenc” canal located in the village of Varagë in Zubin Potok, the Viqentijeviq brothers, in cooperation with other as-yet-unidentified individuals and following a prior agreement, placed approximately 20 kilograms of trinitrotoluene, known as TNT.

The prosecution claims that the explosive was activated through a bag tied with a rope to a concrete pole. As a result, the concrete structure of the “Ibër-Lepenc” canal was severely damaged, the supply of drinking water was disrupted and electricity production was put at risk. The damage to the “Ibër Lepenc” enterprise was estimated at 376,774.70 euros.

For these actions, according to the indictment, the Viqentijev〈i〉q defendants committed the criminal offense of “Endangering the constitutional order by destroying or damaging public installations,” under Article 122, in connection with the criminal offense of “Committing a terrorist act.”

The indictment also states that, until his arrest, Jovan Viqentijeviq had acted as a recruited agent and colonel of Serbia’s Military Intelligence Service. In this role, he allegedly assisted the service by collecting classified information and documents, with the aim of using them during his unlawful activities in the territory of Kosovo.

PERMBAJTJA:

Dragisha Viqentijeviq, Jovan Viqentijeviq and Igor Dimoviq appeared at the Basic Court in Pristina, where the continuation of the court hearing concerning the attack on the “Ibër-Lepenc” canal in Zubin Potok has begun.

The two Viqentijeviq brothers are accused of endangering the constitutional order by destroying or damaging public installations and equipment, an offense linked to the commission of a terrorist act. They also face charges of unauthorized possession of weapons.

In addition to these offenses, Jovan Viqentijeviq is also charged with espionage, while Igor Dimoviq is charged with unauthorized possession of weapons.

The incident for which the trial is being conducted took place on November 29, 2024, in the village of Varagë in the Municipality of Zubin Potok. According to the indictment, a bag containing approximately 20 kilograms of TNT explosives had been placed in the “Ibër-Lepenc” canal, while Jovan Viqentijeviq is suspected of having activated the fuse.

The explosion caused damage to the water supply network and put the water supply to the Kosovo Energy Corporation’s power plants at risk, thereby also threatening electricity production.

One of the first pieces of evidence presented by the prosecution is a comparative analysis of soil found on seized boots and samples collected near the area where the explosion occurred. According to the indictment, FBI experts from the United States of America also participated in this examination process.

The prosecution estimates that the match between the soil samples establishes a link between the Viqentijeviq brothers and the site of the attack.

The indictment was filed by the Special Prosecution after investigations conducted together with the Kosovo Police, specifically the Directorate Against Terrorism, as well as in cooperation with European partners. The defendants are being prosecuted for the criminal offenses of “Endangering the constitutional order by destroying or damaging public installations and equipment,” under Article 122 in connection with “Committing a terrorist act,” “Unauthorized possession of weapons” and “Espionage.”

According to the allegations in the indictment, on November 29, 2024, in the section of the “Ibër-Lepenc” canal located in the village of Varagë in Zubin Potok, the Viqentijeviq brothers, in cooperation with other as-yet-unidentified individuals and following a prior agreement, placed approximately 20 kilograms of trinitrotoluene, known as TNT.

The prosecution claims that the explosive was activated through a bag tied with a rope to a concrete pole. As a result, the concrete structure of the “Ibër-Lepenc” canal was severely damaged, the supply of drinking water was disrupted and electricity production was put at risk. The damage to the “Ibër Lepenc” enterprise was estimated at 376,774.70 euros.

For these actions, according to the indictment, the Viqentijeviq defendants committed the criminal offense of “Endangering the constitutional order by destroying or damaging public installations,” under Article 122, in connection with the criminal offense of “Committing a terrorist act.”

The indictment also states that, until his arrest, Jovan Viqentijeviq had acted as a recruited agent and colonel of Serbia’s Military Intelligence Service. In this role, he allegedly assisted the service by collecting classified information and documents, with the aim of using them during his unlawful activities in the territory of Kosovo.