A Polish court refused to extradite to Germany a Ukrainian suspected of having participated in the sabotage and explosion of the Nord Stream gas pipeline, in September 2022, and ordered his immediate release.
Judge Dariusz Lubowski stated, when announcing his decision, that the attack should be understood as military action in a “just war” and therefore not subject to criminal liability on the part of an individual.
“The accused person, if he is the perpetrator of the crime, is entitled to functional immunity covering an act committed in connection with his activities in favor of the Ukrainian state,” the judge said in the ruling.
“If Ukraine was indeed the organizer of this act of aggression, then only Ukraine can be held responsible for this event”he added. Kiev denies any connection.
Volodymyr K.
The 46-year-old suspect, only identified as Volodymyr Z., was arrested on September 30th near Warsaw, following a German arrest warrant.