Rome, Italy – Italy’s highest court on Thursday approved the extraditionโ ofโ a Ukrainian national suspected of involvement in the โฃ2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosionsโ to Germany, paving the way forโ his potentialโ trial there. The suspect, identified as โคAndriy Melnyk, was arrestedโข in โฃGermany โขearlierโ this โฃyear โคand an international arrest โwarrant was issued,โ leading to his subsequent arrest in Italy.
The handover marks a โฃsignificant step in the ongoing investigation into the sabotage of the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, critical infrastructure transporting natural gas from Russia toโฃ Europe. The incident, which occurred in September 2022, causedโฃ ample environmental damage and heightened energy security concerns across the continent. Germany isโ leading the investigation, believing the attacks were a deliberate act of sabotage with perhaps โฃfar-reaching geopolitical implications. Melnyk is suspected of procuring โคequipmentโค used in the operation, though detailsโ remain under โฃseal as the investigation continues. His extradition โallows German authorities to pursue prosecution and potentially uncoverโ further details about โthe โคplanningโ and execution of the pipeline damage.
