Italian Court Approves Extradition of Ukrainian Suspect in Nord Stream Blasts to Germany
Bologna’s Court of Appeal has ruled to extradite Ukrainian national Sergey Kuznetsov to Germany over his alleged involvement in the Nord Stream pipeline explosions, the man’s lawyer Nicola Canestrini confirmed on Monday.
“The defense of former Ukrainian officer Sergey Kuznetsov announces that today the Bologna Court of Appeal has ruled to extradite him to Germany pursuant to the European arrest warrant issued by Germany,” Canestrini said.
The lawyer added that the defense would challenge the ruling before Italy’s Court of Cassation, arguing that “serious procedural violations” were committed during the investigation, calling into question its “legitimacy and compliance with the principles of due process.” Hearings on the appeal are expected to take place within a month, and Kuznetsov will remain in Italy during this time.
Kuznetsov was detained in Italy on August 21 under a German arrest warrant. Italian authorities decided to keep him in custody to prevent the risk of flight. German media reported that Kuznetsov is suspected of leading a seven-member sabotage group responsible for blowing up underwater sections of the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines.
Germany has also requested the extradition of another Ukrainian suspect detained in Poland, but a Warsaw court refused. Canestrini said he plans to use this decision as a legal precedent in his client’s defense.
In Germany, the offense—classified as an anti-constitutional act of sabotage—is punishable by up to 15 years in prison. On September 26, 2022, three of the Nord Stream pipelines sustained severe damage in what Moscow described as an act of international terrorism.
