Serbian VBA Director on explosives near Kanjiža: We have been warning the state leadership about the danger for months

The Director of the Military Security Agency (VBA), Đuro Jovanić, said today that the service had been warning the state leadership for months that the gas infrastructure could be endangered, but that it had not met with understanding.

"For months, we have been warning the Supreme Commander, President Aleksandar Vučić, as well as the state leadership, that something like this could happen today. To be honest, we have encountered skepticism, disapproval, disagreement. As in the case when we had to present relevant indicators that the gas infrastructure could be endangered," Jovanić said at a press conference.

According to him, during a search of the area, hermetically sealed and packaged explosives manufactured in the United States of America (USA), detonator caps packaged for transport, and tools for carrying out sabotage were found.

"We had information that a person from the group of migrants, of military age, would try to sabotage the gas infrastructure," said Jovanić.

He said that person would definitely be detained.

"The only question is whether the investigation will last three days or several months, but as always, we will consistently carry out the task," said the VBA director.

He added that a lot of misinformation has emerged in the public regarding the explosives seizure operation, but that the Serbian Army is "a serious institution that does not interfere in political processes."

He announced that after the VBA examines the evidence, it will release new information about the case.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said this morning that explosive devices were found near Kanjiža, near the international gas pipeline TurkStream, and added that "someone knew it was an appendix and wanted to send a political message."

The Ministry of Defense confirmed in a statement that a large quantity of explosives was found during the search, as well as items and tools necessary for their preparation and use, as previously announced by the media and the president of the state.