Serbia: Criminal Investigation into Explosives Near Russian Gas Pipeline

A criminal investigation has been launched in Serbia after explosives were found near a Russian gas pipeline. The public prosecutor's office of Subotica has opened a criminal case.

Prosecutor Mladenka Manojlovic stated that the crime of illegal production and trafficking of explosives, combined with the crime of sabotage, had been committed. Four kilograms of flexible explosive material, likely plastic, as well as material to activate it, were found.

The Serbian Ministry of Defense announced that the explosives were found next to natural gas transport infrastructure in the Kaniza municipality in Vojvodina, where the so-called 'Balkan Stream' passes, transporting Russian natural gas via Turkey and Bulgaria to Serbia and Hungary.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić stated that authorities have some leads regarding the perpetrators. The case has received significant publicity in Hungary, with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán speaking of an attempt to destabilize the country ahead of parliamentary elections.

Péter Magyar, the leader of the Hungarian opposition, accuses Orbán of trying to create a climate of terror with the help of Serbia and Russia to avoid defeat in the elections.