Italian Court Backs Extradition Ruling of Nord Stream Sabotage Suspect, Defence Appeals

An Italian Appeals Court in Bologna has again ordered the extradition of a Ukrainian citizen, identified as Serhii K., Orda.kz reports, citing The Kyiv Independent.

Germany is seeking his extradition over his alleged involvement in the Nord Stream pipeline sabotage. The man will continue his legal battle, according to Reuters. His lawyer, Nicola Canestrini, confirmed that the defence appealed the decision:

The defense reiterates that it will not stop until a court has fully examined the international law and human rights implications of the case, lawyer Nicola Canestrini said.

In September, reports surfaced that Serhii K., arrested in Italy in August under a European arrest warrant issued by Germany, was set to be extradited.

On October 15, Italy’s highest court struck down the decision, returning the case for further review. The suspect remains in Italy while legal proceedings continue.

The case is one of several connected to the investigation into the September 2022 explosions that damaged the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea. Earlier, a Polish court refused Germany’s request to extradite another Ukrainian national, Volodymyr Z., also suspected of involvement in the same incident.