Italy’s top court blocks extradition of Ukrainian Nord Stream suspect

Italy’s highest court has suspended the extradition to Germany of the suspected Ukrainian mastermind behind the Nord Stream pipeline attacks, the suspect’s lawyer told dpa on Wednesday.

Rome’s Court of Cassation unexpectedly overturned a lower court’s decision. The case will now be referred to another court, which will issue a new decision.

The suspect, Serhiy K, was arrested in late August while on vacation with his family. German prosecutors accuse the 49-year-old of being behind an explosion and unconstitutional sabotage.

The September 2022 attacks knocked both pipelines out of service, attracting international attention. Four leaks were noted on three of the four pipes.

The Nord Stream 1 pipeline transported gas to Germany directly from Russia. Nord Stream 2 did not enter service following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.