Police Thwart Arson Attack on Drone Factory

Presov/Bratislava, 25 August (TASR) - The Office for Combating Organised Crime (UBOK) has managed to thwart a prepared arson attack against a factory in eastern Slovakia, supposed to target a building where drone systems are being manufactured, TASR was told by Police Corps Presidium spokesperson Roman Hajek on Tuesday. Hajek added that charges have been pressed against three foreign nationals. The police said the attack could have caused a major fire, endangered people's lives and health, and resulted in extensive damage. Around 70 employees could have been present at the facility at the time of the planned attack. According to preliminary findings, the value of property in the production hall amounts to tens of millions of euros. "Based on information and intelligence from the Slovak Information Service and Military Intelligence, UBOK immediately launched intensive operational and investigative activities, which led to the identification of the people involved in preparing the attack and subsequently to foiling the attack itself," said the spokesperson. Police officers from Presov Regional Police Directorate also provided significant assistance in carrying out measures on the ground, he added. The police seized a large quantity of an incendiary mixture, tools, mobile phones, an action camera and a hand-drawn plan. According to a preliminary expert opinion by the Police Corps Institute of Criminalistics and Expertise, the substance was a mixture of petrol and polystyrene, i.e. napalm. The investigator charged three foreign nationals with preparing the aggravated crime of general endangerment, allegedly committed as co-perpetrators on commission. Two of the suspects were detained in Slovakia, and the investigator submitted a motion for their detention pending trial. The third was detained by the German authorities under a European Arrest Warrant within an exceptionally short period. "The investigation is continuing, and a change in the legal classification [of the crime] cannot be ruled out," said Hajek, adding that further information will be provided as soon as the procedural situation allows. mf/df