Serbia Claims to Have Information on Possible Sabotage of Gas Pipeline to Hungary

In Serbia, according to information provided by the country's military counterintelligence, new details have surfaced concerning the possibility of sabotage on the gas pipeline that supplies gas to Hungary. This information was disclosed by Serbian state television RTS, as well as the publication 'European Truth'. On April 5, Djuro Jovanic, the head of Serbia's Military Security Agency, stated that their agency had long received data about the potential for such actions.

"For several months, we have been warning the Supreme Commander, President Aleksandar Vucic, as well as other country leaders, that such a situation could occur. Frankly speaking, the reaction to our warnings was skeptical," Jovanic noted. According to him, they had information that an individual from a group of migrants, who possesses certain military skills, might attempt to carry out sabotage on the gas infrastructure.

He also emphasized that in response to their warnings, it was indicated that the signs of threat did not appear convincing, and that implementing extensive security measures could be too costly and exhausting for the military. However, as it turned out, the counterintelligence's concerns were not unfounded.

Jovanic reported that near the gas pipeline, hermetically sealed explosive materials, detonators, and other elements necessary for setting explosive devices were discovered. "That individual will undoubtedly be detained. The only question is whether the investigation will take three days or more than a month," he added.

In light of these findings, the Serbian prosecutor's office has initiated an investigation into the illegal manufacture, transportation, and smuggling of weapons and explosives, as well as the intent to commit sabotage. It is worth recalling that on April 5, Serbia announced an attempted sabotage on the gas pipeline leading to Hungary when large packages containing explosives and detonators were found nearby.

In response to these events, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban convened the National Security Council, and following the meeting, he ordered the military to secure the Hungarian section of the 'Turkish Stream'. It is important to note that earlier in Hungary, security for energy infrastructure had already been heightened, allegedly due to the so-called 'Ukrainian threat'. Serbia has also deployed the army to protect the infrastructure that facilitates gas flow to Hungary.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto hinted at a possible involvement of Ukraine in the thwarted sabotage. However, official Kyiv categorically rejected these accusations, pointing to a potential 'Russian trace' in the context of Russia's interference in Hungarian elections in favor of Orban.

The main rival of the Hungarian Prime Minister, opposition party leader Peter Madyar, believes that these events could be a staged operation aimed at disrupting the elections in Hungary. The situation remains tense, and further investigations may shed light on the true motives and reasons behind this sabotage attempt.