An Italian court ruled Tuesday that a Ukrainian man arrested last month over his suspected involvement in the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines must be extradited to Germany.

The man, identified as Serhii Kuznietsov, was a member of Ukraine’s armed forces at the time of the explosion but denies any role in the operation. His lawyer, Nicola Canestrini, told AFP that he would appeal the Bologna court’s decision to Italy’s highest court.

The Nord Stream pipelines, which carried Russian natural gas to Europe, were damaged by underwater explosions in September 2022, months after Russia invaded Ukraine.

German prosecutors have said a Ukrainian cell of six people carried out the attack, and accused Kuznietsov of using forged documents to rent a yacht later linked to the blasts.

Canestrini argued that his client is entitled to immunity under international law because of his military status, and alleged “serious violations” of Kuznietsov’s rights in the extradition process, including being barred from attending hearings and denied access to the full German case file.

Kuznietsov maintains he was in Ukraine at the time of the explosions.

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office has designated The Moscow Times as an “undesirable” organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a “foreign agent.”

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work “discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership.” We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It’s quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.

By supporting The Moscow Times, you’re defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

Continue

paiment methods

Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.