Rome, Oct 15, (dpa/GNA) – Italy’s highest court, has halted the extradition to Germany of the alleged Ukrainian mastermind behind the Nord Stream pipeline attacks in 2022, the suspect’s lawyer told dpa on Wednesday.
The Supreme Court of Cassation in Rome, unexpectedly overturned a decision from a lower court. The case will now be referred back to another court, which will make a new decision.
The suspect, Serhiy K, was arrested in Italy at the end of August while on holiday with his family. German prosecutors accuse the 49-year-old of jointly causing an explosion and of anti-constitutional sabotage.
According to the Ukrainian’s lawyer, Nicola Canestrini, the top court justified its decision on the grounds that the suspect’s rights had been violated during the legal proceedings, following his arrest. A differently composed court must decide again on the extradition request, it ruled.
Serhiy K is being held in a high-security prison in northern Italy. His lawyer said he may file a motion for release.
The attack on the former German-Russian prestige project, drew international attention in September 2022.
Six months after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, several explosions put both pipelines out of operation near the Danish island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea. Four leaks were subsequently found on three of the four lines.
The Nord Stream 1 pipeline had carried gas to Germany directly from Russia. Nord Stream 2 did not go into operation as a result of Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
German investigators believe that Serhiy K, led a team of seven suspects, including four divers.
The group is alleged to have rented a sailing yacht called “Andromeda” in Germany, which they then used to sail out into the Baltic Sea.
Another suspect, 46-year-old Ukrainian national Volodymyr Z, is in custody in Poland. He is thought to have been one of the divers.
A Polish court is due to rule on Friday on whether he can be extradited to Germany for trial.
GNA