Warsaw’s district court extended the detention of Ukrainian national Volodymyr Z., suspected by German prosecutors of sabotaging the Nord Stream gas‑pipeline, after Germany issued an European Arrest Warrant.
Arrest in Poland
In late September, Volodymyr Z. was taken into custody on Polish soil on the allegations that he had aided the explosion of the Nord Stream pipeline. The arrest came after German intelligence identified him as a participant in the sabotage.
European Arrest Warrant
Germany presented an European Arrest Warrant for Z. to Polish authorities, demanding his extradition to face charges related to sabotage, property damage, and destruction of the pipeline. The warrant could carry up to 15 years of imprisonment under German law.
Court Decision and Legal Proceedings
On Monday, the Warsaw District Court extended Z.’s detention for 40 days. Prosecutors sought a 100‑day period. Z.’s defence lawyer announced plans to file an appeal, arguing the client should be allowed to respond freely while the case is unresolved.
Expert View on Evidence and Sovereignty
Professor Piotr Mickiewicz, a former naval officer and senior researcher, urged Polish courts to demand unequivocal evidence from the German side before considering extradition. He said the German prosecution’s case carries a political context that must be scrutinised under Polish sovereignty principles.
Potential Political Consequences
Mickiewicz warned that a decision against extraditing Z. could provoke retaliatory measures from other European states if they meet similar extradition requests, but he added that the case is unlikely to damage Poland’s international reputation. He also criticised Polish services for possible missteps in the handling of the suspect.
