Ukrainian Suspect in Nord Stream Sabotage Begins Hunger Strike in Italian Prison
Ukrainian national Serhiy Kuznetsov, who has been detained in Italy on suspicion of involvement in the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines, has initiated a hunger strike as of Thursday. This was reported by Dmytro Lubinets, the Ombudsman for Human Rights of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, who has taken the situation under personal control. Kuznetsov is currently being held in an Italian prison awaiting trial, where he has claimed that his health is deteriorating due to the ongoing hunger strike.
The Nord Stream 2 pipeline, a key infrastructure project for the European Union’s energy supply, was sabotaged during a military operation in September 2022. Although the exact perpetrators have not been identified, various international investigations suggest that the sabotage may have been carried out by Russian-backed separatists with the involvement of Ukrainian and other entities. Kuznetsov’s arrest in Italy in 2023 has raised questions about the international legal processes and the implications for the broader geopolitical landscape.
According to the Ombudsman’s office, Kuznetsov’s hunger strike is a response to the conditions of his detention and the perceived lack of legal clarity surrounding his case. Lubinets stated that the situation has been taken under personal supervision, indicating that the Ukrainian government is actively monitoring the matter. However, the Italian authorities have maintained that they are handling the case independently, emphasizing the legal and procedural aspects of the investigation.
The situation has sparked discussions in both Italian and Ukrainian political circles, with concerns about the potential for diplomatic tensions and the impact on current international relations. While the Ukrainian government has reiterated its commitment to the rule of law and international cooperation, the case has also raised questions about the effectiveness of legal processes in high-profile international crimes.