Arson attack on Slovak drone factory thwarted – three arrests
Slovak police have prevented a planned arson attack on a drone factory in the east of the country. Two suspects were arrested in Slovakia, a third in Germany.
Slovak authorities foil attack on drone factory in eastern part of country
Slovak police have prevented a planned arson attack on a production facility for unmanned aircraft in eastern Slovakia, according to their own statements. As reported by ORF, the authorities informed the public yesterday via Facebook about the thwarted attack.
Two suspects were arrested in Slovakia, a third in Germany on the basis of a European arrest warrant. All three face charges of endangering the public – an offence that applies when a larger number of people or foreign property is endangered to a significant extent.
During house searches, investigators secured a large quantity of incendiary mixture – according to initial findings, improvised napalm made from petrol and thickening agent – as well as tools, mobile phones and a handwritten operational plan.
The investigation was conducted by the special unit for combating organised crime (UBOK), supported by information from the Slovak domestic intelligence service SIS and the military intelligence service. Regarding the background to the act, the authorities initially provided no further details – it also remained unclear whether the factory manufactures drones for Ukraine.
"Had the attack gone ahead, it would have threatened an extensive fire, endangerment of the lives and health of workers, and material damage of considerable scale", the investigators stated. The factory employs approximately 70 people; the value of the facility is estimated at several dozen million euros.
The three suspects are said to have acted on behalf of third parties. The authorities initially provided no further details.
Source: ORF