From Dw · · 1m 20s
Nord Stream trial opens in Germany
Ukrainian officer's defense seeks dismissal of war crime charges over gas pipeline sabotage.
In brief
Ukrainian officer's defense seeks dismissal of war crime charges over gas pipeline sabotage. Serhii Kuznietsov's defense team argues he cannot speak due to Ukrainian secrecy laws, so the case should be dismissed. Originally reported by Dw.
Trial opens in Hamburg
Serhii Kuznietsov's defense team argued the alleged actions should not be deemed a criminal act.
“Serhii Kuznietsov's defense team argued that the alleged actions should not be deemed a criminal act”
Kuznietsov accused of sabotage
Kuznietsov is accused of leading the September 2022 sabotage operation that put the undersea Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines linking Russia to Germany out of action.
“Kuznietsov is accused of leading the September 2022 sabotage operation that put the undersea Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines linking Russia to Germany out of action”
Defense seeks dismissal
The defense lawyers argue that the case should be thrown out entirely, saying their client is forbidden from speaking with them or anybody else about the case.
“The defense lawyers argue that the case should be thrown out entirely, saying their client is forbidden from speaking with them or anybody else about the case”
Lawyer questions trial premise
One of Kuznietsov's lawyers, Nicola Canestrini, argued that it was not valid to try the officer on war crimes charges for an attack on civilian infrastructure.
“One of Kuznietsov's lawyers, Nicola Canestrini, argued that it was not valid to try the officer on war crimes charges for an attack on civilian infrastructure”
Kuznietsov's silence
Kuznietsov is sworn to secrecy by his home government in Ukraine and so is unable to discuss his case or potential exonerating evidence with anyone.
“Kuznietsov is sworn to secrecy by his home government in Ukraine and so is unable to discuss his case or potential exonerating evidence with anyone”
Kuznietsov's lawyers explain
He is not permitted to speak. His two immediate superiors told him that he does not have authorization to make any statements, not even to his lawyers.
“He is not permitted to speak. His two immediate superiors told him that he does not have authorization to make any statements, not even to his lawyers”
German law applies
In German law, Meyer-Lohkamp argued: "Anyone who cannot speak out cannot be convicted".
“"Anyone who cannot speak out cannot be convicted"”
The key point
Serhii Kuznietsov's defense team argues he cannot speak due to Ukrainian secrecy laws, so the case should be dismissed.
