The Sabotage of Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines took place on September 26, 2022 at the bottom of the Baltic Sea. The explosions destroyed three of the four threads of the pipeline, cutting Russia from the main gas market in Europe. German investigators determined that the perpetrators were to use a yacht rented in Rostock for false documents. Divers planted at least four explosives, and after the action they were evacuated to Ukraine.
Read also: The government adopted the Frankowa Act. What does it mean for consumers?
Although no state confessed to the attack, Moscow has been blaming the US and Ukraine from the beginning, which Washington and Kiev consistently deny. In August 2023, German media reported that the Prosecutor General in Karlsruhe issued the first arrest warrant in this case – it concerned Wołodymyr Z., whose place was established at that time in Poland.
Suspected of blowing up the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. The Ukrainian side reacts
Wołodymyr Z. is suspected of participating in the act of sabotage, destruction of property and damage to the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline 2. Under German law, these acts are punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
Read also: 6.3 thousand PLN is just the beginning. This is how much the army pays to students
The man was detained on Tuesday in the Pruszków poviat. According to the prosecutor's office, He is a 46-year-old entrepreneur from the construction industry, who has been living with his family in Poland for years. The detained was questioned in the District Prosecutor's Office as a person sought after on the basis of ENA. The audition took place in the presence of a Polish lawyer. – It did not apply to the assessment of guilt or reference to the German side. The Polish prosecutor's office only examines the reasons for launching the release procedure – explained prosecutor Skiba.
According to the ENA procedure, the prosecutor's office has 48 hours to refer a detention request. The first court decision will apply to a seven -day detention center, which will allow the German side to send full documentation in Polish. Only later will the court decide on possible extradition, having up to 100 days.
The Ukrainian consulate also joined the case. Diplomats asked Polish bodies to guarantee consular assistance and the possibility of meeting the detainee. – The Polish side assured that all the provisions of the Vienna Convention will be respected – assured the spokesman.
Next to him, Serhij K., detained last year in Italy, is also waiting for extradition to Germany. German investigators suspect that he was one of the main organizers of the sabotage.
The investigation into the destruction of Nord Streams is still ongoing, and its findings are crucial not only for the criminal liability of individuals, but also for geopolitical relations around Europe's energy security.
