The Federal Public Prosecutor's Office of Germany announced on 19/8 that Volodymyr Zhuravlyov, a Ukrainian professional diver, was arrested in Pula, Croatia. He faces charges of participating in the plot to detonate and sabotage the Nord Stream pipelines in 2022.
Zhuravlyov's arrest was carried out under a European arrest warrant, and German authorities are requesting his extradition from Croatia for trial. Croatian police confirmed the apprehension of a suspect in the Nord Stream pipeline sabotage but have not yet publicly disclosed the individual's identity.
"Verification steps are currently underway to determine if this is indeed the individual sought under the European arrest warrant issued by the Court of Justice in Karlsruhe", Croatian police stated.
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Gas bubbles rise from a leak on Nord Stream 2 near Denmark's Bornholm island in 9/2022. Photo: AFP |
This arrest marks the identification of a second suspect in the Nord Stream case. Last year, Italian police arrested Sergiy Kuznetsov, who was identified as the first suspect in the sabotage. Kuznetsov, also a Ukrainian national, was subsequently extradited to Germany.
Zhuravlyov had previously been arrested in Poland on similar charges. However, Polish authorities refused extradition and released him, stating that such an attack from Ukraine would be considered a "justified act" rather than a criminal offense.
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Leak locations after the explosions on the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines in 9/2022. Graphic: Guardian |
The Nord Stream pipeline sabotage in the Baltic Sea occurred months after the Russia-Ukraine conflict began in 2/2022. Suspects planted explosives, destroying ba of the 4 gas pipelines connecting Russia to Germany.
German investigators believe a Ukrainian state agency directed the attack, aiming to cut Russia's future energy revenue. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated his government had no knowledge of the pipeline sabotage plan.
The incident has created an awkward situation for both Germany and Ukraine, especially given Berlin's strong support for Kyiv during the conflict. When questioned about the issue, German government officials emphasized the independence of their judicial system.
Ngoc Anh (According to AFP, Reuters)
