# Nord Stream trial opens in Germany

> Ukrainian officer's defense seeks dismissal of war crime charges over gas pipeline sabotage.
- Title: Nord Stream trial opens in Germany · Dw | Shortify
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: serhii kuznietsov, nord stream 1, nord stream 2, germany, ukraine, war crime, sabotage, hamburg, news, world, politics, Nord
- Source: Dw — https://dw.com/en/nord-stream-trial-opens-in-germany-defense-seeks-dismissal/a-79662942?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: serhii kuznietsov, nord stream 1, nord stream 2, germany, ukraine, war crime, sabotage, hamburg, news, world, politics
## 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"
## Key takeaway

Serhii Kuznietsov's defense team argues he cannot speak due to Ukrainian secrecy laws, so the case should be dismissed.