Dragiša Vićentijević, the primary suspect in the November 29, 2024 explosion at the Ibër-Lepenc canal, was escorted by the Kosovo Police after a hearing to determine his security measure on December 1, 2024. In his statement to authorities, Vićentijević denied any involvement in the bombing and instead blamed other individuals for the attack.
The Kosovo Special Prosecutor’s Office is now actively searching for the individuals that Vićentijević named in his testimony. Meanwhile, the evidence seized from his home is undergoing forensic analysis to be cross-referenced with the materials recovered at the explosion site.
The explosion caused significant damage to the Ibër-Lepenc canal, which provides water to several areas in Kosovo, including the Kosovo Energy Corporation (KEK) for cooling power plant turbines. This attack endangered the country’s electricity production and highlighted the vulnerability of key infrastructure.
Charges and Detention
The Pristina Court decided to place Vićentijević under 30-day detention, as he is suspected of endangering Kosovo’s constitutional order by damaging public infrastructure. During a raid of his home, police found two AK-47 rifles, a pistol, grenades, and a variety of ammunition. In addition to the explosion, Vićentijević is also facing charges for illegal possession of firearms.
The Special Prosecutor’s Office has expressed concern that Vićentijević might attempt to flee, as he holds Serbian citizenship and lives near the Serbian border, which would make him harder to track. Authorities also fear he might attempt to repeat the crime, given that the Ibër-Lepenc canal is a vital infrastructure asset that is difficult to monitor continuously.
Kosovo Government and International Response
The explosion has sparked outrage in Kosovo, with the Kosovo Government accusing Serbia of orchestrating the attack, claiming it was carried out by professional operatives. This view has been echoed by the United States and the European Union, both of which have strongly condemned the act. EU High Representative Josep Borrell called the explosion a “terrorist” attack.
In response to the incident, the Kosovo Security Council convened an emergency meeting to discuss the necessary measures to minimize the impact and secure the country’s critical infrastructure. Additionally, teams from KFOR, NATO’s peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, were deployed to the scene of the explosion on November 30, 2024.
