Vlajic and Delevic: We requested the prosecutor’s recusal because he acted in a biased manner during the investigation

The lawyers of the Vicentijevic brothers, who are charged before the Special Department of the Basic Court in Pristina with an attack on the Ibar–Lepenac canal, Nebojsa Vlajic and Milos Delevic, requested at today’s preparatory hearing that prosecutor Bekim Kodraliu be recused from the case due to what they claim was biased conduct during the investigation.

Vlajic said that he submitted the request for the recusal of the public prosecutor because Bekim Kodraliu had grossly neglected his obligation to act objectively in the proceedings and, as he claims, failed to obtain evidence proposed by the defense a year ago.

“Some of that evidence may no longer even be obtainable. That is an obstacle to his further participation in the proceedings, in my opinion. The Chief Prosecutor of Kosovo decides on this. In the coming days, the decision is up to him, and the trial will continue afterward,” Vlajic said.

His request was also supported by the lawyer of Dragisa Vicentijevic, Milos Delevic.

“He truly acted in a biased manner during the investigation. Eleven days after the arrest of Dragisa Vicentijevic, I submitted a request for the questioning of four alibi witnesses and for video footage to be obtained from two facilities which, according to the defense, unquestionably prove my client’s innocence. However, he failed to act on that request for a year. Therefore, I believe that the Chief Prosecutor will grant this request for recusal,” Delevic said.

The Special Prosecutor’s Office has charged the Vicentijevic brothers with the criminal offenses of “endangering the constitutional order by destroying or damaging public facilities and equipment” under Article 122 in connection with the criminal offense of “commission of a terrorist act,” while Jovan Vicentijevic is additionally charged with espionage.

Igor Dimovic has been charged with illegal possession of weapons. Dimovic is defending himself at liberty, while the Vicentijevic brothers have been in detention since their arrest.

The lawyer of Igor Dimovic, Jelena Krivokapic, stated at the preparatory hearing that her client’s case is different and that she has no objections to the prosecutor’s work.

The indictment against Dragisa and Jovan Vicentijevic, as well as Igor Dimovic, was filed on December 9 of this year.

On the night of November 29, 2024, an explosion occurred on the Ibar–Lepenac canal in the village of Varage near Zubin Potok. Drinking water from Lake Gazivode is supplied through this canal to South and North Mitrovica, and it is also used to cool the Obilic A and B power plants.