A Ukrainian national has been arrested in connection with the investigation into the Nord Stream pipeline sabotage, German federal prosecutors announced Tuesday. The arrest occurred on September 30th, based on a European arrest warrant issued by the investigating judge of the Federal Court of Justice in June 2024.
The suspect is accused of involvement in the explosions that damaged the Nord Stream pipelines in September 2022. Charges include jointly causing an explosion, a violation of constitutional principles through sabotage and the destruction of structures. Reportedly a trained diver, the suspect is alleged to have been part of a group that placed explosives near the island of Bornholm.
According to prosecutors, the suspected perpetrators utilized a sailboat rented from Rostock, Germany and reportedly disguised with falsified documentation. The explosives detonated on September 26, 2022, causing significant damage to both pipelines. Following extradition from Poland, the arrested individual is scheduled to appear before the investigating judge of the Federal Court of Justice.