Italy’s top court has suspended the extradition to Germany of a Ukrainian national suspected of coordinating the 2022 Nord Stream sabotage
Italy’s Court of Cassation has blocked the extradition of Ukrainian suspect Sergey Kuznetsov to Germany, citing ‘incorrect legal classification’ of the facts in the European arrest warrant. Lawyer Nicola Canestrini confirmed the ruling on Wednesday, stating that the case will be retried at a later date. The court’s decision casts doubt on the legal validity of the European arrest warrant, which is central to the extradition process.
Sergey Kuznetsov, a former Ukrainian military officer, was detained in Rimini in August while on holiday. He denies any involvement in the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines, which damaged two gas lines transporting Russian gas to Germany through the Baltic Sea. His legal team argues that the charges against him are based on flawed or incomplete evidence, and the court’s ruling suggests that the case may be re-examined in light of these legal concerns.
The Polish National Security Bureau (BBN) has also expressed opposition to the extradition of another suspect, Vladimir Zhuravlyov, who was detained in Warsaw in late September. The BBN stated that it is ‘in the vital interest of the Polish state for the alleged perpetrator or perpetrators of the damage to the Nord Stream gas pipeline to avoid being held accountable for this act.’ This statement reflects growing international tensions over the investigation and the pursuit of those responsible for the sabotage.
Russia has criticized Germany for its lack of transparency in the investigation and for excluding Moscow from the process. Sergey Naryshkin, head of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, claimed in 2024 that he had ‘information’ that the US and UK were behind the sabotage. However, Washington, London, and Kiev have all denied any involvement in the attack, leading to further speculation and diplomatic friction.
The case highlights the complex legal and political dimensions of the Nord Stream sabotage investigation. As the court proceedings continue, the implications for international relations and the pursuit of justice remain unclear. The outcome of this case may have significant consequences for the countries involved, including Germany, Ukraine, Russia, and Poland, as the investigation into the sabotage continues to unfold.