Podzhog of drone factory prevented in Slovakia
Slovak police prevented a planned arson attack on a company in the east of the country that produces unmanned aerial systems. Three foreigners have been charged in the case, who, according to the investigation, acted on order. If the plan had been carried out, about 70 factory workers could have been at risk.
This was reported by the Slovak police on August 25. The operation to prevent the attack was codenamed "Drone".
The preparation of the attack was detected based on information from the Slovak Information Service and military intelligence. After that, the organized crime unit began operational activities, identified the suspected participants and prevented the attack.
The name of the company and its exact location are not disclosed by the authorities. It is only known that it is located in eastern Slovakia and is engaged in the production of unmanned aerial systems.
About 70 people could have been inside the plant
According to a preliminary police assessment, the arson could have caused a major fire, casualties and significant material damage. At the expected time of the attack, about 70 employees could have been in the building.
The value of property in the production facility is estimated at tens of millions of euros.
During the investigation, law enforcement officers seized a significant amount of incendiary mixture, tools, mobile phones, an action camera and a hand-drawn plan.
Experts from the forensic institute preliminarily determined that the seized liquid was a mixture of gasoline and polystyrene. Police noted that such a mixture is usually called napalm.
Third suspect detained in Germany
The investigator brought charges against three foreign nationals. Their actions were qualified as preparation of a particularly serious crime involving creation of a general danger. According to the investigation, the suspects acted jointly and carried out an order.
Two suspects were detained directly in Slovakia. The investigator initiated their detention in custody.
The third suspect was detained by German law enforcement on the basis of a European arrest warrant, which the Slovak authorities issued in an expedited manner.
Who exactly could have ordered the arson is not yet reported by the police. The nationality of the accused is also not publicly disclosed. Therefore, there are currently no grounds to link the preparation of the attack with any specific country.
Thanks to the intervention of law enforcement, the attack did not take place, no one was injured and company property was not damaged.
The investigation is ongoing. Police do not rule out that as new evidence is obtained, the legal qualification of the case may change.
