The Special Prosecution of Kosovo has filed an indictment against three people, following an investigation carried out in cooperation with the Kosovo Police and international partners, for the attack on the “Ibër-Lepenc” canal.
KosovaPress has learned that the prosecutor who filed the indictment, Bekim Kodraliu, worked together with all local and international institutions as well as the FBI, until the case was solved and evidence secured. The accused are: Jovan Viçentijević, Dragisha Viçentijević and Igor Dimivić.
According to the media statement, the indictment criminalizes the following offenses: “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.”
The explosion in the Ibër-Lepenc canal — which Kosovo authorities assessed as a terrorist act orchestrated by Serbia — took place on 30 November 2024.
After this incident, it was announced that the investigation of the case involved the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
What does the indictment say?
On 29 November 2024 in the village of Varagë, Municipality of Zubin Potok, in the section of the “Ibër-Lepenc” canal, the accused J.V. and D.V., together with several other still unknown persons, following a prior agreement, placed an explosive (about 20 kilograms of Trinitrotoluene “TNT”) inside the canal.
“J.V. and D.V. are accused of having activated the explosive material via a bag which they had tied by rope to a concrete post, as a result of which the concrete structure of the Ibër-Lepenc canal was severely damaged, the supply of drinking water was interrupted, electricity production was put at risk, and the company ‘Ibër-Lepenc’ suffered damages amounting to 376,774.70 euros,” the statement says.
According to the indictment, through these actions J.V. and D.V. committed the criminal offense of “Endangering the constitutional order by destroying or damaging public installations” under Article 122, in connection with “Committing a terrorist act.”
The two accused are also charged with unauthorized possession of weapons, together with the third accused, I.D.
Meanwhile, the defendant J.V is also charged with the crime of “Espionage.”
According to the indictment, until his arrest the defendant acted — in his capacity as a recruit of the Serbian Military Intelligence Service, holding the rank of Colonel — for and assisted that service by collecting classified information and documents, intending to use them during his unlawful activity on the territory of Kosovo.
A few days after the attack, during the visit of the acting Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, and the acting Minister of Economy, Artane Rizvanolli, to this enterprise, it was stated that the damage caused was about 400,000 euros. Meanwhile, in a report prepared a week ago by KosovaPress, the public enterprise “Ibër-Lepenc” did not respond when asked whether there was a final report on the damage caused by this terrorist attack.
The Ibër-Lepenc canal supplies water — from the Ujman Lake — to several cities in Kosovo and to the Kosovo Energy Corporation.
After the terrorist attack, the public enterprise Ibër-Lepenc cut off water supply for several hours to the thermal power plants.
Water supply was also interrupted in Mitrovica, Skenderaj, Vushtrri, Drenas, Fushë-Kosovë and Obiliq.
Water reached the power plants only after mobilization and swift intervention to repair the damages in the Ibër-Lepenc canal.
