The Bologna Court of Appeals ruled on October 27 to extradite Ukrainian citizen Sergey Kuznetsov to Germany, where he is suspected of involvement in the sabotage of the ‘Nord Stream’ gas pipelines in 2022.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Court Proceedings and Defense Arguments
The initial decision to extradite Kuznetsov was made by Italian judicial authorities on September 16 of this year. However, on October 15, the Court of Cassation overturned this decision, agreeing with the defense regarding the “incorrect legal qualification of the facts underlying the European arrest warrant.” According to lawyer Nicola Canestrini, this error was the basis for the review of the decision.
At that time, the Court of Cassation supported the defense’s argument that there had been an “incorrect legal qualification of the facts underlying the European arrest warrant,” stated lawyer Nicola Canestrini.
The ruling on October 27 opens the possibility for German prosecutors to directly interrogate the suspect in the case of the sabotage that led to the disruption of a crucial supply channel for Russian gas to European countries.
Details of the Arrest and Investigation
Sergey Kuznetsov, identified under German regulations as Sergey K., was arrested in August near Rimini based on a European arrest warrant. According to the German prosecution, Kuznetsov was part of a group that carried out the sabotage of the pipelines near the Danish island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea.
The suspect is charged with conspiracy to organize an explosion, committing unconstitutional sabotage, and destroying strategically important facilities. The explosive devices detonated on September 26, 2022, causing significant damage to three of the four strands of the pipeline.
The ‘Nord Stream’ pipeline was built to transport Russian gas to Western Europe, but it is currently impossible to restore it. Investigations conducted by Sweden, Denmark, and Germany have confirmed the sabotage, but the individuals responsible have not yet been identified.
Russia is not participating in the investigation. Official Moscow blames the explosions on the U.S. and its allies, although they deny any involvement.
Western media have repeatedly suggested that individuals linked to Ukrainian intelligence services may have been involved in organizing the explosions, but Kyiv categorically denies these accusations.
The German prosecution emphasized that the sabotage was a serious attack on Germany’s energy infrastructure, regardless of the political context.
As of 2025, the ‘Nord Stream’ pipelines remain under European Union sanctions, as EU states view them as a potential tool for pressure from Moscow on the European energy market.