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Italy Orders Extradition of Suspected Nord Stream Plot Coordinator to Germany

The Bologna ruling sets up a potential Hamburg prosecution pending a final appeal to Italy’s Court of Cassation.

Overview

  • An appellate court in Bologna authorized the transfer of 49-year-old Ukrainian Serhii K., who was arrested near Rimini in August on a European arrest warrant.
  • His lawyer says he will appeal to the Court of Cassation and alleges fair‑trial violations, inadequate translation, problematic detention conditions and functional immunity due to the alleged military nature of the acts.
  • German federal prosecutors accuse him of coordinating the September 2022 explosions, citing offenses including causing an explosion, anti‑constitutional sabotage and destruction of structures.
  • Investigators report the operation involved a small team using a chartered yacht from Rostock to place charges near Bornholm, with the suspect described as a coordinator rather than a diver.
  • If extradited, a German investigating judge will first decide on custody, and jurisdiction points to Hamburg for a potential trial as other alleged group members remain at large and Nordic probes have concluded.