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Nord Stream Suspect in Italy Launches Hunger Strike During Extradition Fight

Italy's top court now weighs a defense appeal against his transfer to Germany.

Overview

  • The Ukrainian national, identified as Serhii Kuznetsov or Serhii K., was arrested in August near Rimini on a European warrant and remains in a high-security Italian prison.
  • His lawyer says he has refused food since October 31 to press for proper nutrition, dignified detention, and equal access to family visits and information.
  • The defense requested urgent action from prison authorities and the Justice Ministry to meet constitutional and international standards for detention conditions.
  • An appeals court in Bologna approved extradition to Germany last month, but the handover is paused pending a Court of Cassation review expected within about a month.
  • German prosecutors have charged him with conspiracy to cause an explosion, anti-constitutional sabotage, and destruction of critical infrastructure, while he denies involvement; a Polish court recently rejected Germany's extradition request for another Ukrainian suspect.