Germany Issues Arrest Warrant for Ukrainian Suspect in Nord Stream Pipeline Sabotage
August 15, 2024The German justice system has issued a European arrest warrant for a Ukrainian suspect involved in the sabotage of the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea, which occurred on September 26, 2022.
The suspected attackers reportedly rented a yacht named 'Andromeda' in Rostock to carry out the sabotage, which resulted in multiple explosions and significant gas leaks.
The explosions destroyed three out of four pipelines, highlighting Germany's dependence on Russian gas amid escalating geopolitical tensions following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The German federal prosecutor's office has not commented on the ongoing investigation, which has seen various countries involved, although Denmark and Sweden have since closed their cases.
Swedish and Danish authorities concluded their investigations in February 2023, leaving Germany as the only country still actively pursuing the matter.
The true perpetrators of the sabotage remain unknown, with investigations raising suspicions of state involvement rather than independent actors.
Various theories regarding the sabotage have emerged, including suggestions of involvement by a pro-Ukrainian group, although Ukraine has denied any connection.
Despite initial suspicions, investigations have not established a direct connection between the suspects and any Ukrainian state entities, with Ukrainian officials denying government involvement.
Wolodymyr Z., the primary suspect, is believed to have been residing in Poland but is now reportedly on the run, with his whereabouts unknown.
Polish prosecutors indicated that the absence of the suspect's name in the wanted persons database meant Polish border guards had no grounds to apprehend him.
Concerns have been raised that evidence left behind could have been intentionally misleading, possibly orchestrated by Russian intelligence.
In January 2023, German authorities raided a ship suspected of transporting explosives, suggesting that trained divers could have attached devices to the pipelines at depths of 70 to 80 meters.
Summary based on 32 sources
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Sources
The Guardian • Aug 14, 2024
Germany has issued arrest warrant for diver over Nord Stream explosions, says reportBBC News • Aug 14, 2024
Nord Stream: German arrest warrant for sabotage blast suspectYahoo News • Aug 14, 2024
Poland receives European arrest warrant in Nord Stream explosion caseYahoo News • Aug 14, 2024
Poland receives European arrest warrant in Nord Stream explosion case