Trial defence says Russia used Nord Stream pipelines as 'weapon'

HAMBURG: Sergiy Kuznietsov, a 50-year-old former Ukrainian military officer, faces trial for allegedly leading a team of divers and an explosives expert to bomb the Nord Stream pipelines in September 2022. The defense lawyer, Nicola Canestrini, argues there is insufficient evidence linking Kuznietsov to the sabotage, and contends Russia exploited the pipelines as a political and economic weapon during its invasion of Ukraine.

The pipelines, owned by a consortium led by Russian energy giant Gazprom, were not operational at the time of the blasts. Prosecutors claim Kuznietsov committed a war crime by using military means to target civilian infrastructure. The pipelines, which were intended to deliver gas to Europe, were severely damaged, and Russia had previously reduced gas supplies to Europe as retaliation for sanctions imposed over the invasion.

Germany, as Ukraine's primary military supporter, has accused Russia of the sabotage but awaits the trial's outcome before deciding on a stance.