Ukrainian suspect in the Nord Stream case goes on hunger strike in Italian prison: what the defense says
4 November 19:19
Ukrainian Serhiy Kuznetsov, who is being held in custody by Italy in the case of the Nord Stream gas pipeline bombing, has gone on a hunger strike. This was announced by his lawyer Nicolo Canestrini in a commentary to Suspilne, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
The defense lawyer said that Kuznetsov has been refusing to eat since October 31, demanding respect for his basic rights – from proper nutrition and access to information to equal treatment with other prisoners regarding family visits.
Kuznetsov is being held in a high-security Italian prison, awaiting extradition to Germany, where he is suspected of sabotage.
Arguments of the defense
According to the lawyer, since his arrest in August 2025, Kuznetsov has not been provided with a diet compatible with his health condition, which has led to his physical deterioration.
“A hunger strike by a prisoner is always a wake-up call – not only for the person concerned. No one should be forced to take extreme measures to obtain recognition of basic rights,” Canestrini emphasized.
He called on the prison administration and the Italian Ministry of Justice to intervene to ensure that the conditions of detention meet constitutional and international standards.
Trial and defense position
At the end of October, the Bologna Court of Appeal ruled that Kuznetsov should be handed over to the German authorities.
The defense lawyers are appealing this decision, insisting that the incriminated actions are of a “political and military nature” and can be attributed to the context of an international armed conflict.
What is known about the Nord Stream case
on September 27, 2022, Denmark and Sweden reported several gas leaks from the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 pipelines in the Baltic Sea.
Germany and the EU suspected sabotage. Moscow blamed the UK for the explosions, but London denied the allegations.
An investigation in Germany found that seven people may have been involved in the explosions, operating from a pleasure yacht rented through a shell company.
Among the suspects are Ukrainian citizens, including Serhiy Kuznetsov, whom German media described as a former SBU officer and retired captain of the Armed Forces. He was detained in Italy while on vacation with his family.
While Kuznetsov is awaiting a final decision on extradition, his lawyer is seeking a medical examination and inspection of his detention conditions.
The Italian Ministry of Justice has not yet commented on the situation.
Although the investigation into the Nord Stream sabotage is ongoing, Kuznetsov’s case is increasingly gaining a political dimension – not only because of the sabotage charges, but also because of the issue of observance of the rights of Ukrainians behind bars in the EU.
