Italy’s highest court has greenlit the extradition of a Ukrainian national to Germany, where he faces allegations of orchestrating the 2022 explosions that severely damaged the Nord Stream pipelines. The Cassation Court dismissed a final appeal by 49-year-old Serhii Kuznietsov, paving the way for his transfer to German authorities within days. Kuznietsov, detained in August 2023 while vacationing near Rimini, is accused of detonating multiple underwater bombs in the Baltic Sea, targeting the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines. His defense lawyer, Nicola Canestrini, maintains his client’s innocence, expressing confidence in an acquittal. The incident, which occurred in September 2022, disrupted the Nord Stream 1 pipeline—a critical conduit for Russian natural gas to Germany—and damaged the inactive Nord Stream 2 pipeline. Germany had suspended certification of Nord Stream 2 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine earlier that year. Kuznietsov denies involvement, claiming he was serving in the Ukrainian military at the time. Meanwhile, Poland has blocked the extradition of another suspect linked to the case.
Italian court approves extradition to Germany of Ukrainian suspect in Nord Stream pipeline blast
