The Bologna Court of Appeal has authorised the extradition to Germany of Serhii Kuznietsov, a 49-year-old Ukrainian national arrested in Rimini at the end of August. He is accused by the German federal prosecutor’s office of participating in the coordination of the sabotage operation against the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines in September 2022. The suspect denies any involvement and has announced, through his lawyer, that he will file an appeal with the Court of Cassation against the decision.
The explosions in the Baltic Sea triggered four major leaks on the pipelines connecting Russia to Germany, disrupting a key infrastructure for Europe’s natural gas supply. This is the first arrest linked to the case, which remains politically and economically sensitive in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Allegations based on false documents and yacht rental
According to information gathered by German authorities, Kuznietsov allegedly used fake identity documents to rent a pleasure boat departing from Rostock in northern Germany. This vessel is believed to have been used to transport the team suspected of placing underwater explosives near the pipelines. The German federal prosecutor’s office believes the operation was carried out by a Ukrainian cell consisting of five men and one woman.
In its decision, the Italian appeal court stated that it saw no reason to prevent the suspect’s transfer to the German authorities. The Ukrainian’s lawyer, however, criticised the judicial process, denouncing the lack of full access to the German case file and the fact that his client was not permitted to attend the hearings in person.
Military status and unfair trial claims
The defence argues that Kuznietsov was a commander in the Ukrainian army at the time of the events, which, according to his lawyer, could justify exemption as a military officer engaged in an armed conflict. The lawyer also contends that the pipeline could be considered a legitimate military target, given the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
The extradition procedure raises concerns about the protection of defence rights. A hearing on the suspect’s pre-trial detention is scheduled in Rome this week. The Italian Court of Cassation is expected to rule on the appeal against the extradition within a month.
Parallel investigations launched by Sweden and Denmark were closed in 2024 without charges. The German investigation remains the only one ongoing, driven by persistent suspicions that a state actor may have ordered the sabotage operation.
