The Prishtina Basic Court has ordered a 30-day detention for Jovan Vicentijevic, the second suspect linked to the November 29 explosion at the Iber-Lepenc water canal which damaged critical energy and water supply infrastructure.
The Prishtina Basic Court remanded a second suspect, Jovan Vicentijevic, in custody for 30 days on terrorism charges after an explosion damaged the Iber-Lepenc canal in Kosovo’s Zubin Potok municipality on November 29.
The suspect’s lawyer, Nebojsa Vlajic, told media after the court hearing on Tuesday that there is no evidence connecting his client to the charges arising from the water infrastructure blast, which Kosovo officials have blamed on Serbia.
“The judge has reviewed the arguments presented by both the Prosecution and the defense. We firmly believe there is no basis for imposing detention, and moreover, there is no evidence for the charges being pressed,” Vlajic said.
He further noted that his client is accused of attacking the constitutional order, destroying infrastructure, engaging in terrorism, and committing the criminal offense of unauthorized possession of weapons and ammunition.
Apart from Vicentijevic, Dragisa Vicentijevic, another ethnic Serb, was handed a 30 day detention sentence by the Prishtina Basic Court on Sunday, on suspicion of carrying out a terrorist attack.
Kosovo officials have attributed the attack to Serbia. However, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic denied any involvement by Serbia in the explosion at the Iber-Lepenc canal in Zubin Potok.
The attack was strongly condemned by the international community while support was shown for Kosovo authorities regarding the search and accountability for perpetrators.
On Monday, the prosecution announced via a press release that ten suspects were questioned.
Several weapons and uniforms were seized in raids conducted at ten locations after the explosion.
Kosovo Police Director Gazmend Hoxha told media on Saturday that the raids uncovered over 200 military uniforms, six rocket-propelled grenade launchers, three hand grenades, two AK-47 rifles, a revolver, and other ammunition.
The canal damaged by the explosion is a crucial infrastructure, supplying water to multiple towns and supporting the Kosovo Energy Corporation by cooling its power plants, Kosova A and Kosova B, through the Ujman/Gazivoda Lake.
Since the blast, Kosovo has increased security measures at important infrastructure sites, such as bridges, electrical substations, reservoirs and canals.
03 December 2024 - 17:55
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