In a significant development, Italy’s top judicial body has sanctioned the extradition of a Ukrainian national to Germany. This individual is implicated in the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines, a critical energy infrastructure connecting Russia and Germany, disrupted over three years ago.
Serhii Kuznietsov, 49, is set to be handed over to German authorities shortly following the Cassation Court’s dismissal of a last-ditch appeal by his defense. His attorney, Nicola Canestrini, remains optimistic about Kuznietsov’s prospects at trial, asserting that, “his client would be acquitted.”
The Nord Stream 1 pipeline, a conduit for Russian natural gas to Germany beneath the Baltic Sea, was compromised in the explosions. This occurred prior to Russia’s cessation of supplies in late August 2022. The adjacent Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which never became operational due to Germany’s suspension of its certification process amid escalating tensions with Ukraine commencing February 24, 2022, also sustained damage.
Kuznietsov’s arrest transpired on August 21 at a campsite proximate to Rimini’s Adriatic coast, where he was on holiday with his family, following a European arrest warrant.
According to extradition documentation, German prosecutors allege that Kuznietsov orchestrated and executed the deployment of multiple explosives, ranging from 14 to 27 kilograms, at depths of 70 to 80 meters in the Baltic Sea near Bornholm, Denmark, on September 26, 2022. Kuznietsov, however, asserts his innocence, claiming he was in Ukraine fulfilling duties as an army captain during the incident.
Meanwhile, Poland has obstructed the extradition of another suspect to Germany related to the same case. For further details on this development, visit the AP News article.
