A year-long investigation into the 2024 explosion at the Ibër–Lepenc canal has identified three Serb suspects and uncovered evidence suggesting involvement of Serbian state structures, according to an indictment obtained by RTK.
Kosovo’s Special Prosecution said the attack on 29 November 2024 targeted critical water and energy infrastructure. The suspects allegedly placed a significant quantity of military-grade explosives inside the canal using a bag tied with rope to a concrete pillar.
The blast disrupted drinking water supply, hindered water provision to the Kosovo Energy Corporation (KEK) and temporarily put the country’s electricity production at risk.
The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation assisted in the probe, identifying the suspects through soil analysis taken from their boots, the indictment says.
Faruk Mujka, head of the Ibër Lepenc public company, told RTK that the damage could have caused “catastrophic” consequences had emergency repairs not been carried out promptly. “The lower section and one façade of the aqueduct were severely damaged, endangering water supply for all consumers connected to the system,” he said.
Prosecutors say one of the accused is suspected of acting as an agent of Serbia’s Military Intelligence Service. He allegedly monitored KFOR movements and photographed the Kosovo Police special-unit base in Zubin Potok, reporting the information to Serbian intelligence.
Searches of the suspects’ homes uncovered weapons, ammunition, military equipment and communication and masking devices, the indictment states.
Security analyst Arben Dashevci said the case demonstrates “a detailed and serious approach to uncovering the full truth”, noting that Kosovo authorities had cooperated closely with the FBI.
The three defendants face terrorism-related charges, while the suspect labelled as an intelligence agent also faces counts of espionage and cooperation with a foreign military intelligence service.
Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti said in a separate statement that the indictment confirmed the suspects’ links to “illegal Serbian structures”. He wrote that the trial would show they were connected to “Serbia’s state structures and Milan Radoičić”, whom he described as a close ally of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić.