German prosecutor accuses Ukrainian state of ordering Nord Stream attacks
German federal prosecutors have brought charges against a Ukrainian man who is alleged to have planned the attack on the Nord Stream pipelines on the orders of Ukrainian state authorities.
German prosecutor accuses Ukrainian state of ordering Nord Stream attacks
German federal prosecutors have brought charges against a Ukrainian suspect who is alleged to have planned and carried out the attack on the Nord Stream gas pipelines in 2022 on the orders of Ukrainian state authorities. This is evident from a statement by the investigating authorities, which the Guardian reported on.
The accused, a Ukrainian citizen named Serhij K., was an officer of the Ukrainian armed forces at the time of the attack. He was arrested in Italy last summer and extradited to Germany in November. The man denies any involvement in the attack.
According to the indictment, the suspect worked together with other soldiers "on the orders of Ukrainian state authorities" to devise a plan to destroy the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines. This occurred after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. The attack was carried out by a five-member group. Three of the four pipelines of the Nord Stream system were damaged in the process.
The accused must also face charges for attacks on civilian energy infrastructure, as well as for explosives and property damage offences. The Nord Stream pipelines exploded in September 2022. The attack resulted in a significant restriction of Russian gas supplies to Europe.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated, according to Reuters, that he had not yet received the full indictment. "The competent authorities of our countries will make contact, and once we receive further details, we can respond. At the moment, it would be too early to comment on this," Zelensky said.
The German government has not yet commented on the accusations. Under German law, instructing attacks on civilian targets is punishable by a minimum of three years, or in milder cases one year, imprisonment. The trial is expected to take place in Hamburg in the autumn.
Source: Telex