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The Bologna Court of Appeal has validated the extradition to Germany of a Ukrainian accused of having participated in the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines in 2022. The suspect, arrested near Rimini, remains in detention pending the decision of the Court of Cassation. Italian justice confirmed on October 27 the extradition to Germany of a Ukrainian suspected of having participated in the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines in 2022, according to Reuters.
Identified as Sergei Kuznetsov, the man is accused by German prosecutors of taking part in an operation aimed at destroying essential energy infrastructure linking Russia to Europe. The Bologna Court of Appeal validated the transfer of the suspect, confirming a previously rendered decision. The case, however, is not closed: the file must still be examined by the Italian Court of Cassation, which should rule in the coming weeks.
Pending this hearing, the accused remains in detention in Italy. Also according to Reuters, the defense announced that it wanted to file a new appeal, citing questions of international law and human rights. The suspect’s lawyer, Nicola Canestrini, maintains that his client should benefit from some form of immunity, but this position has no effect on the ongoing proceedings. The German authorities, for their part, have refrained from any comment on the steps taken in Italy. This decision by the Italian courts contrasts with that recently taken in Poland.
On October 17, a Polish court rejected the extradition request of another Ukrainian national wanted in the same case and ordered his release. The explosions that hit the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines in September 2022 caused a major disruption in energy supplies to the European Union. The act, described as sabotage by both Western authorities and Russia, marked a turning point in the continent’s energy crisis. No author has been officially named responsible. Ukraine has denied any involvement, while the German investigation continues to identify the perpetrators and sponsors.
If the extradition is confirmed, Sergei Kuznetsov will face several charges, including collusion to cause an explosion, unconstitutional sabotage and destruction of critical infrastructure. As a reminder, according to Western media, he is a former captain of the Ukrainian armed forces and a former officer of the Security Service of Ukraine. The suspect was a member of a unit located near kyiv in 2022. The ex-soldier has two Ukrainian passports issued under different names.