Polish Court Declines Extradition of Ukrainian Nord Stream Suspect Amid Controversy

A Polish court declined a German request for the extradition of a Ukrainian man believed to be involved in the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines in 2022, connecting Russia to Europe.

The judge in Warsaw stated that the German appeal «does not warrant consideration» and ordered the release of the Ukrainian individual.

This ruling follows a similar decision made by Italy’s highest court, which also rejected an extradition request for another Ukrainian linked to the same incident.

The Nord Stream pipelines, which had been transporting Russian gas to Europe for years, were severely damaged just months after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

«Case closed,» Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on X, expressing his approval of the court’s ruling.

The suspect, identified as Volodymyr Z., a diving instructor, was apprehended on September 30 in a suburb of Warsaw and was being sought by German authorities under a European arrest warrant.

German prosecutors allege that he «was part of a group that planted explosive devices on the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines near Bornholm Island [Denmark] in September 2022.»

His attorney contested the extradition.

At the time of his arrest, the suspect accused Gazprom, the owner of the pipelines, of funding Russia’s military actions.

Judge Dariusz Lubowski commented that the court’s purpose was not to ascertain the suspect’s guilt but to determine if the allegations warranted the execution of a European arrest warrant.

«The Polish court does not possess sufficient evidence, as the German authorities have only provided broad information,» he added.

He also indicated that the court lacked enough evidence to conclude whether the Ukrainian government was involved in the pipeline explosion.

In light of Russia’s invasion, Lubowski noted that Ukrainians should not be classified as terrorists or saboteurs, arguing that «in their fight to defend their homeland, they undermine the enemy.»

The prosecutor’s office, which was in favor of executing the arrest warrant, can choose to appeal the ruling.