In a significant development in the Nord Stream pipeline investigation, Italy's highest court has given the green light for extraditing a Ukrainian national to Germany. The suspect stands accused of orchestrating the underwater explosions that damaged the crucial gas infrastructure connecting Russia and Germany.
Court Rejects Final Defense Appeal
The Cassation Court in Milan delivered its verdict on Wednesday, rejecting the final defense appeal from 49-year-old Serhii Kuznietsov. This decision paves the way for his transfer to German authorities within the coming days. Defense lawyer Nicola Canestrini expressed disappointment with the ruling but maintained confidence that his client would be acquitted during trial proceedings in Germany.
Kuznietsov was initially detained on August 21 at a campground near Rimini, a popular Adriatic coastal city, where he was vacationing with his family. The arrest was executed under a European arrest warrant, highlighting the cross-border nature of the investigation.
The Nord Stream Pipeline Damage
The explosions in question occurred on September 26, 2022, causing substantial damage to both Nord Stream pipelines beneath the Baltic Sea. According to extradition documents, German prosecutors allege that Kuznietsov organized and carried out the detonation of at least four bombs weighing between 14 and 27 kilograms. These explosives were placed at depths of 70 to 80 meters near the Danish island of Bornholm.
The incident ruptured Nord Stream 1, which had been actively transporting Russian natural gas to Germany until Russia cut off supplies in late August 2022. The parallel Nord Stream 2 pipeline also suffered damage, though it never became operational after Germany suspended its certification process shortly before Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
Defense Claims and International Complications
Kuznietsov has consistently denied any involvement in the pipeline explosions. His defense maintains that he was in Ukraine at the time of the incident, serving as an army captain. This claim adds another layer of complexity to an already internationally sensitive case.
The legal proceedings have revealed additional complications in the broader investigation. Poland has blocked the extradition to Germany of another suspect connected to the same case, indicating potential jurisdictional challenges and differing legal approaches among European nations regarding this high-profile investigation.
As the case moves forward, international observers will be closely watching how German authorities handle the prosecution and whether additional evidence emerges during the trial. The outcome could have significant implications for international energy security and cross-border legal cooperation.
