...

Logo Pasino du Havre - Casino-Hôtel - Spa
in partnership with
Logo Nextory

Italy court blocks extradition of Ukrainian to Germany in Nord Stream pipelines blast case

• Oct 16, 2025, 5:32 PM
5 min de lecture
1

Italy's top court has rejected the extradition to Germany of a Ukrainian man arrested on suspicion of setting off explosions that damaged the Nord Stream gas pipelines in 2022, his lawyer said on Thursday.

Italy's Cassation Court annulled a previous decision by a Bologna appeals court on Wednesday, which had ordered the extradition to Germany of the 49-year-old suspect, Serhii Kuznietsov.

The Italian top court has now demanded another panel of the same appeals court to reassess the case, said Kuznietsov's lawyer, Nicola Canestrini.

Canestrini said the motivations of the Cassation court's decision have not been filed yet and are expected in the coming weeks.

"In the meantime, I will evaluate whether the conditions exist to request my client's release, since the legal basis for detention has ceased to exist," Canestrini added.

A leak from the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, 28 September, 2022
A leak from the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, 28 September, 2022 AP Photo

The explosions ruptured the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, which carried Russian natural gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea until Russia cut of supplies at the end of August 2022.

They also damaged the parallel Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which never entered service because Germany suspended its certification process shortly before Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

German prosecutors opened an investigation after the explosions and officials have pointed to an interest in clearing up what happened.

Kuznietsov was detained on a European arrest warrant on 21 August, at a camping ground near the Adriatic coastal city of Rimini, where he was on holiday with his family.

During his first hearing confirming his detention, Kuznietsov denied any involvement in the explosions, saying he was in Ukraine where he was serving in the army as a captain at the time of the blasts.

Pipes at the landfall facilities of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in Lubmin, 15 February, 2022
Pipes at the landfall facilities of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline in Lubmin, 15 February, 2022 AP Photo

German prosecutors allege that Kuznietsov organised and carried out the detonation of at least four bombs between 14 and 27 kilograms at a depth of 70-80 metres in the Baltic Sea near the Danish island of Bornholm on 26 September 2022, according to the extradition papers.

Polish authorities arrested another Ukrainian citizen last month who is also suspected of involvement in the undersea explosions.

The Warsaw District Court is expected to rule on his extradition on Friday, but the decision can be appealed.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk said in early October that it was not "in the interest of Poland" to extradite the man.


Today

Michael Mann receives the Lumière Award: Tribute and insights on Heat 2
• 4:14 PM
5 min
The Lumière Festival honoured iconic director Michael Mann by awarding him its prestigious prize. In an emotional ceremony, the American filmmaker praised the festival's spirit and revealed details about the Heat sequel, which could begin production next
Read the article
Latest news bulletin | October 19th, 2025 – Evening
• 4:00 PM
1 min
Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond this October 19th, 2025 - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https:
Read the article
German Federal Office of Civil Protection publishes guide removing war as an 'unlikely' possibility
• 3:08 PM
5 min
The Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance warned in its latest report that war no longer seems as unlikely as it did a few years ago, as it recommends maintaining food supplies of three to ten days.<div class="small-12 column text-cen
Read the article
Poland not an isolated case: What to know about secret migrant tunnel systems
• 1:58 PM
3 min
Officers of the Podlaskie Border Guard discovered a tunnel under the Polish-Belarusian border on Friday. Similar tunnels have been found in Hungary.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https://www.euronews.com/2025/10/19/polan
Read the article
Trump calls Colombian president 'illegal drug dealer' in dispute over US strikes
• 11:11 AM
4 min
Trump's comments come after Petro accused the US government of assassination and demanded answers after the latest American strike in Caribbean waters.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https://www.euronews.com/2025/10/19/wa
Read the article
Israeli army confirms it has carried out airstrikes in southern Gaza's city of Rafah
• 10:38 AM
7 min
The IDF says it carried out aerial attacks in Rafah after earlier reports of armed skirmishes involving their stationed troops and Palestinians. The attacks mark the first airstrikes Israel have launched since a US-brokered truce came into force late last
Read the article
Latest news bulletin | October 19th, 2025 – Midday
• 10:00 AM
1 min
Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond this October 19th, 2025 - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https:
Read the article
Tens of thousands of people take to the streets in nationwide anti-Trump 'No Kings' protests
• 7:40 AM
14 min
Tens of thousands of protesters flooded the streets of major US cities nationwide to demand an end to President Donald Trump’s “authoritarian” rule. Hundreds of concerned Americans abroad also staged protests in several European metropolitans.<div class="
Read the article
Afghanistan and Pakistan agree to immediate ceasefire, Qatar's Foreign Ministry says
• 6:21 AM
7 min
The two sides have agreed to hold follow-up talks in Qatar to establish conditions and a framework for lasting peace, bringing an end to a week of deadly cross border skirmishes, which have killed dozens of people.<div class="small-12 column text-center a
Read the article
Latest news bulletin | October 19th, 2025 – Morning
• 5:00 AM
1 min
Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond this October 19th, 2025 - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https:
Read the article