Nord Stream pipelines were 'a Russian weapon' and legit target, Ukrainian soldier's lawyers argue as Hamburg trial opens
The Nord Stream pipelines under the Baltic Sea, wrecked by explosions in September 2022, with Serhii Kuznetsov accused of masterminding the attack using divers who planted up to 27kg of military explosives.Serhii Kuznetsov, the former Ukrainian army officer prosecutors allege commanded the yacht *Andromeda* and directed six accomplices — including four divers and an explosives expert — to bomb the Nord Stream pipelines in…
Lawyers for Serhii Kuznetsov, the Ukrainian ex-special forces officer on trial in Hamburg for the 2022 Nord Stream bombings, have demanded the case be dismissed, arguing the pipelines were "a weapon in the hand of the Russians." Italian defence lawyer Nicola Canestrini told the court that four years of investigation produced not one witness, no forensics, no DNA and no fingerprints. Kuznetsov, 50, denies any involvement and exercised his right to silence, leaving his legal team to speak.
The defence argues Kuznetsov cannot get a fair trial as an army officer bound by Ukrainian state secrecy, saying he must defend himself 'with his hands tied'.
Prosecutors charge him with a war crime — attacking civilian infrastructure — alleging he commanded the yacht 'Andromeda' and directed six accomplices including four divers and an explosives expert.
Representatives of Russia's Gazprom sat beside prosecutors in court and were permitted to participate as civil plaintiffs, with the trial expected to run until February.
