Ukrainian Arrested in Croatia Linked to Nord Stream Pipeline Sabotage
Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
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- German prosecutors announced the arrest of a Ukrainian man in Croatia, suspected of involvement in the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipeline.
- The suspect, identified as Vladimir Z., is accused of organized sabotage, an unconstitutional act, and destruction of infrastructure.
- This is the second arrest in the case, following that of another Ukrainian national, Serhii K., in Italy last year.
German federal prosecutors announced Wednesday the arrest in Croatia of a Ukrainian national suspected of involvement in the sabotage of the Russian Nord Stream gas pipeline in northern Germany nearly four years ago. The suspect, identified as Vladimir Z., is a trained diver.
According to a statement from the federal prosecutor's office in Karlsruhe, Vladimir Z. is "strongly suspected of having, as part of an organized group, caused an explosion, committed an unconstitutional act of sabotage, and destruction of infrastructure." This marks the second arrest in the highly sensitive case, which German prosecutors labeled an "act of war" by Ukraine in early July.
is strongly suspected of having, as part of an organized group, caused an explosion, committed an unconstitutional act of sabotage, and destruction of infrastructure.
Vladimir Z. is alleged to have been part of a commando unit led by Ukrainian national Serhii K., who was arrested in Italy last August and extradited to Germany in the fall. The former Ukrainian army commander is accused of "attacks against civilian energy infrastructure, causing an explosion and destroying buildings."
On September 26, 2022, seven months after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, four massive gas leaks preceded by underwater explosions occurred within hours of each other on Nord Stream 1 and 2, pipelines that transported the majority of Russian gas to Europe. Kyiv has consistently denied orchestrating the sabotage but has not hidden its satisfaction, deeming any attack that weakens the Kremlin's ability to finance its war as legitimate. German prosecutors stated Vladimir Z. participated in planting explosive charges on the pipelines, using a sailboat chartered from a German company under false pretenses by accomplices. After his transfer from Croatia, the suspect will be presented to an investigating judge at the Federal Court of Justice.
attacks against civilian energy infrastructure, and causing an explosion and destroying buildings.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Le Figaro in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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