A Croatian court has ruled that Vladimir Z., a Ukrainian man suspected of involvement in the 2022 Nord Stream blasts, can be extradited to Germany, Suspilne reported. He denies involvement; his lawyer says an appeal is planned.
The County Court in Pula confirmed on Thursday that it had ruled, but said it could not give details until the parties decide whether to appeal. German courts say the case falls within their jurisdiction because the damaged pipelines end in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and their destruction affected Germany's energy security and internal safety.
Vladimir Z. was arrested in August at a hotel in Pula under a European arrest warrant. German prosecutors say he was a scuba diver in a group behind the blasts, which damaged Nord Stream 1, a vital route for Russian gas exports to Europe, and Nord Stream 2, which had yet to enter service.
