Italian Court Approves Extradition of Ukrainian in Nord Stream Case
An Italian court has granted the extradition of a Ukrainian individual who was implicated in the 2022 explosion of Russia’s Nord Stream gas pipeline.
The Bologna court revealed that German prosecutors utilized false identification to acquire yachts from Rostock, facilitating the operation. Reports indicate that if a German court finds him guilty, the individual could face a 15-year sentence.
His lawyer, Nicola Canestrini, stated plans to appeal to the Italian Cassation Court.
Canestrini noted that Kuznietsov, who was arrested under a German warrant in August, claims he was in Ukraine at the time of the pipeline explosion in September 2022. German authorities reportedly linked a Ukrainian group, consisting of five men and one woman, to the incident.
The defense contended that Kuznietsov should receive functional immunity under international law, arguing that he acted under Ukrainian military orders during the conflict.
Canestrini emphasized that the military context of the case should grant his client immunity. He further argued that Kuznietsov’s involvement as a member of the Ukrainian military during the relevant time must be considered. He criticized the denial of Kuznietsov’s personal attendance at his hearing and the lack of full access to the German case files, viewing these as violations of his right to a fair trial.
Additionally, the defense asserted that the pipeline was a legitimate military target amid wartime circumstances. However, the court dismissed this reasoning, stating that the German warrants did not specify military roles or address whether the actions taken exceeded acceptable limits.
Canestrini announced intentions to appeal, citing significant violations of his client’s fundamental rights, including insufficient translation during the hearing, which he claims hindered effective defense.
Kuznietsov remains incarcerated in Northern Italy as his legal issues unfold. The Nord Stream pipeline, central to European concerns over dependence on Russian energy, was inactive at the time of the explosion. Notably, the extension known as Nord Stream 2 was abandoned just prior to Russia’s full invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
