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Italy Detains Ukrainian Suspect in Nord Stream Bombings on German Warrant

The move advances Germany's lone criminal case toward extradition, setting up a first courtroom test of yacht‑and‑explosives evidence.

Overview

  • Italian police arrested the suspect, identified as Serhii K., in the Rimini area on a European arrest warrant, and he is in custody pending extradition proceedings.
  • German prosecutors say he helped coordinate a group that placed explosive devices on Nord Stream 1 and 2 near Bornholm in September 2022, and he faces charges including collusion to cause an explosion, anti‑constitutional sabotage and destruction of structures.
  • Investigators allege the team used a sailing yacht rented in Rostock with forged documents via intermediaries to transport the explosives.
  • Authorities previously found traces of the military‑grade explosive octogen on a chartered vessel examined during the probe, a key forensic lead cited by prosecutors.
  • Denmark and Sweden closed their investigations in February 2024, leaving Germany to pursue the case as governments deny official involvement and responsibility remains contested.