Ukrainian citizen Serhiy Kuznetsov, who is under investigation in Germany on suspicion of organizing explosions on the ‘Nord Stream 1’ and ‘Nord Stream 2’ pipelines, has declared a hunger strike in an Italian prison. Kuznetsov’s lawyer, Nicola Canestrini, reported that his client has been refusing food since October 31, demanding the respect of basic rights.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Kuznetsov’s Demands and Health Condition
According to the defense attorney, Kuznetsov insists on ensuring his fundamental freedoms, including the right to adequate nutrition, proper detention conditions, a healthy environment, as well as equal treatment in organizing meetings with family and access to information. The lawyer emphasized that after his arrest in August, the Ukrainian was not provided with an appropriate diet, which led to a deterioration in his health.
Kuznetsov “has been refusing food since October 31, demanding the respect of his basic rights, including the right to adequate nutrition, a healthy environment, dignified detention conditions, and equal treatment compared to other inmates regarding family visits and access to information.”
Legal Proceedings and Charges
At the end of October, an Italian court ruled for the second time to extradite Kuznetsov to Germany, where he is considered involved in the explosion of the pipelines in September 2022. Kuznetsov’s defenders intend to appeal this decision in the Court of Cassation, citing violations during the case proceedings.
Kuznetsov was arrested in the city of Rimini in August, shortly after the German prosecutor issued an arrest warrant. He became the first person detained in the case regarding the blowing up of the ‘Nord Streams’. In Germany, he is charged with several offenses, including under the terrorism statute, but Kuznetsov denies his guilt.
The investigation claims that Kuznetsov led a group of six to seven individuals who approached the pipelines on the yacht ‘Andromeda’ in September 2022 near the Danish island of Bornholm. At a depth of 70–80 meters, the suspects installed at least four explosive devices. After carrying out the sabotage, according to investigators, Kuznetsov left the yacht in the port of Vik on the island of Rügen and headed to Ukraine.