Italian police detain Ukrainian suspect in Nord Stream pipeline blasts

Italian authorities arrested Ukrainian citizen Serhii K on suspicion of leading the sabotage operation that destroyed three Nord Stream pipelines in September 2022, according to an arrest warrant obtained by German media outlets.

The 49-year-old suspect was detained Wednesday evening in the province of Rimini while vacationing with his wife and two children. German investigators issued an international arrest warrant charging him with anti-constitutional sabotage that carries up to 15 years in prison.

According to the warrant, Serhii K allegedly coordinated a seven-person team that obtained false passports and sailed to the pipeline locations aboard a rented boat called "Andromeda."

Divers allegedly planted at least four bombs at depths of 70-80 metres on the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines before returning to Ukraine.

The suspect's lawyer denies the allegations, Italian media reported. Serhii K will remain in custody until early September and faces possible extradition to Germany following a hearing scheduled for next week.

German investigators previously tracked down suspected diver Volodymyr S in Poland last year, but he avoided arrest by allegedly departing in a Ukrainian diplomatic vehicle before Polish police arrived.

Serhii K reportedly worked for Ukraine's SBU intelligence service a decade ago and remains active in a security service reservists' association.

The pipeline explosions on 26 September 2022 destroyed infrastructure designed to supply Germany with Russian gas. The project had been suspended after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has denied his government's involvement in the Nord Stream attacks.

Italian authorities plan to hold an extradition hearing next week, though the suspect's legal team indicated they will contest transfer to Germany.