Nord Stream case: Ukrainian suspect faces new charge
German authorities have updated the European arrest warrant for Ukrainian citizen Volodymyr Zhuravliov, who is suspected of involvement in the sabotage of the Russian Nord Stream gas pipelines, adding the classification of war crime.
Source: European Pravda, citing a statement by the Katerynchuk, Moor and Partners law firm, which is part of the defence team
Details: The law firm announced that a court hearing in Croatia concerning Zhuravliov's extradition to Germany had been postponed. It had been scheduled for Friday 4 September.
"The reason is that the German side has updated the European arrest warrant and added a new classification of war crime. For the defence, this means a new stage in the fight for the rights of a Ukrainian citizen... We will report on further developments in the case as soon as they occur," the law firm said.
Background:
- On 19 August, Germany's Federal Prosecutor General announced the arrest of Zhuravliov in Croatia in connection with the Nord Stream sabotage case. He had previously evaded arrest and extradition to Germany twice.
- According to media reports, Zhuravliov was arrested in Croatia while a Hollywood film about the sabotage was being filmed. The film is titled Snake Island.
- Another suspect in the case, Ukrainian citizen Serhii Kuznietsov, is already in custody in Germany. He was arrested while on holiday in Italy last summer.
- In late June, Germany's Federal Prosecutor General published an official statement announcing charges against Kuznietsov. It said that he and other members of the group had acted as Ukrainian military personnel.
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