Eight Arrests in Kosovo After Attack on Ibar-Lepenac Canal

Xhelal Svecla (Photo: PrintScreen YouTube)

Kosovo Interior Minister Xhelal Svecla told a news conference on Nov. 30 that eight persons were arrested after an attack on the Ibar-Lepenac canal for alleged criminal and terrorist actions.

Svecla added that ten sites in northern Kosovo were searched and that more than 200 military uniforms, six bombs, two AK-47s, weapons parts, explosives, military helmets, camouflage equipment, euros and dinars were found.

Kosovo's leaders have directly accused Serbia of diversion, while Premier Albin Kurti said there was evidence, but produced none. On Nov. 30 Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic dismissed Pristina's allegations that Serbia was connected to the blast at the Ibar-Lepenac canal, in the municipality of Zubin Potok.

European Union High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Josep Borrell said in a press release on Nov. 30 that the EU condemned the attack in the severest terms. "It is a despicable act of sabotage on Kosovo's critical civilian infrastructure, which provides drinking water for considerable part of Kosovo's population and is a vital component of Kosovo's energy system," reads the press release on the EU's website. EU special representative to the Belgrade-Pristina dialog Miroslav Lajcak, the head of the EU Office in Kosovo Aivo Orav, French diplomats and KFOR have also denounced the attack.