Milan: An Italian appeals court has ruled in favor of extraditing a Ukrainian man, identified as Serhii K., to Germany over his alleged role in the 2022 sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea. The decision, made by the Bologna appeals court, comes nearly a month after his arrest near Rimini under a European arrest warrant issued by German authorities.
German prosecutors accuse Serhii K. of orchestrating a group that used a sailing yacht to plant explosives on the pipelines near Denmark’s Bornholm Island. The resulting explosions caused extensive damage to the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, temporarily disrupting Russian gas supplies to Europe and exacerbating tensions amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. No group has publicly claimed responsibility for the attack, and Ukrainian officials have denied involvement.
The suspect faces serious charges, including collusion to commit an explosion, anti-constitutional sabotage, and the destruction of critical infrastructure. The Italian court’s approval of the extradition has sparked attention not only for its legal implications but also for its potential geopolitical ramifications. The sabotage incident remains one of the most high-profile attacks on European energy infrastructure in recent years.
Serhii K.’s defense team has announced plans to appeal the ruling to Italy’s highest court, the Court of Cassation. They argue that the extradition infringes on fundamental rights, citing concerns over fair trial guarantees and linguistic issues, as key legal documents have been translated into English rather than the suspect’s native Ukrainian. A hearing before the Court of Cassation is scheduled for Wednesday, with the formal appeal expected to be lodged within five days.
Observers note that the outcome of this legal battle could set a precedent for how EU member states handle extradition cases involving alleged acts of sabotage with significant political and economic consequences. The case also underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Europe in securing critical energy infrastructure while navigating complex international legal frameworks.
The developments in Italy will be closely watched by Germany, Ukraine, and other European nations, as they could influence both judicial cooperation and broader diplomatic relations surrounding the high-profile Nord Stream sabotage case.