BELGRADE, August 21. /The Times of Russia/. A Croatian court in Pula has ordered the detention of a Ukrainian citizen as Germany seeks his extradition over alleged involvement in the Nord Stream sabotage suspect extradition to Germany case concerning the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines.
The Pula regional court said the decision was made during hearings on August 20. The judge ordered the Ukrainian citizen to remain in custody pending extradition to the Federal Republic of Germany under a European arrest warrant.
Croatian Court Rules on Nord Stream Sabotage Suspect Extradition to Germany
The court in Pula stated that the Nord Stream sabotage suspect was placed in custody following Germany’s request for extradition. The proceedings concern allegations connected with the explosions that damaged the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines.
According to the German Prosecutor General’s Office, a Ukrainian citizen suspected of involvement in the pipeline explosions was detained in Pula, Croatia. Investigators allege that Vladimir Z., a professional scuba diver, was part of the group that planted explosives on the pipelines near the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea.
The German authorities allege that the detainee participated in diving operations connected with the attack. The investigation also indicates that the alleged saboteurs used forged documents to rent a sailing yacht from a German company. The vessel was reportedly used to transport the explosives to the pipelines.
Ukrainian Suspect and the Nord Stream Pipeline Investigation
The Ukrainian suspect in the Nord Stream explosions is now facing extradition proceedings in Croatia. The German investigation centers on the alleged role of individuals who reportedly carried out diving operations near Bornholm before the pipeline explosions.
The case involves both the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 sabotage investigation. The pipelines sustained unprecedented damage on September 26, 2022.
Prior to the latest detention, the German Attorney General’s Office recalled that charges were filed on June 30 against Sergey K., another Ukrainian citizen accused of participating in the pipeline explosions. His case is scheduled to be heard by the Higher Regional Court in Hamburg.
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Germany Seeks Extradition in Nord Stream Case
Germany’s extradition request is based on a European arrest warrant issued in connection with the investigation. The custody ruling in Pula represents another step in the legal proceedings involving the Nord Stream sabotage suspect extradition to Germany.
The allegations remain part of an ongoing investigation, with German authorities examining the suspected roles of individuals who allegedly participated in the operation.
The Pula court decision means the Ukrainian citizen will remain in custody while the extradition process moves forward.
2022 Nord Stream Pipeline Explosions
On September 26, 2022, unprecedented damage was reported on three lines of the Nord Stream pipeline and the unfinished Nord Stream 2 pipeline.
Following the incident, the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office opened a case on international terrorism.
The Nord Stream pipeline explosions became the subject of an international investigation involving authorities from several European countries. The latest proceedings in Croatia are focused on Germany’s request for the extradition of the Ukrainian citizen identified as Vladimir Z.
For The Times of Russia, the Croatian court’s custody decision marks a new development in the continuing Nord Stream sabotage suspect extradition to Germany proceedings.
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