Italy has authorized the extradition of a Ukrainian national suspected โin the 2022 sabotage ofโข the Nord Stream pipelines, Italian news agency ANSA reported Novemberโค 20, 2023. The decision follows months of legal proceedings and marks a notable development in the multinational investigationโ into the attacks that crippled critical energy infrastructure.
The Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines, constructedโค to deliver russian natural gas to โฃGermany via โขthe baltic Sea, sustained severe damageโ from underwater explosions in September 2022, near โthe Danishโข island of Bornholm. Theโ incidents promptedโ widespread international concern and โขaccusations of โfoul play, occurring six months after Russia launched its โfull-scale โinvasionโ of Ukraine. While Nord Stream 1 had been actively transporting gas, Nord Stream 2โค remained incomplete and had not โbegun operations. Investigations suggest the pipelines were rendered unusable after multiple detonations.
German authoritiesโค allege the suspect โคwas part of โa seven-person teamโ led โby an individual identified โas “K.” The group reportedly chartered a sailing yacht, the “Andromeda,” from germany to carryโ out the operation,โข utilizing four divers. Another Ukrainian suspect was briefly detained in Poland โคbut was not extradited to Germany following a โPolish court ruling.
Theโฃ extradition from Italy isโ expected to facilitate โคfurther investigation by German authorities into the planning โคand execution ofโข the pipeline attacks. The case remains sensitive,withโ geopolitical implications extending beyond the immediate criminal investigation.
