Poland has thrown a lifeline to a Ukrainian suspect wanted by Germany over the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines, refusing to extradite Volodymyr Zhuravlyov on grounds that any act of war is justified.
The suspect, who was detained in Poland last month on an EU arrest warrant, was ordered released by Judge Dariusz Lubowski after delivering a ruling that hinged on the context of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Polish judge portrayed this as a "bloody and genocidal attack" which gave Ukraine the right to defend itself.
The decision comes amidst Germany halting use of two pipelines in September 2022, months after Russia invaded Ukraine and Nord Stream 2 had not yet started operation.
Germany accuses Ukraine for involvement in blowing up the pipelines. This has been met with denials from Ukrainian authorities.
Volodymyr Zhuravlyov is suspected of planting explosives beneath the Baltic Sea on pipelines leading from Russia to Germany. His wife described him as a deep-sea diver who had no military role and called his arrest at their home just outside Warsaw "a nightmare".
Serhiy Kuznetsov, another suspect in Berlin's eyes, is currently fighting extradition to Germany from Italy after being accused of sabotage during the blasts.
Germany's foreign minister stated that he respects the Polish ruling, saying it was not for government to interfere with courts.
The suspect, who was detained in Poland last month on an EU arrest warrant, was ordered released by Judge Dariusz Lubowski after delivering a ruling that hinged on the context of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Polish judge portrayed this as a "bloody and genocidal attack" which gave Ukraine the right to defend itself.
The decision comes amidst Germany halting use of two pipelines in September 2022, months after Russia invaded Ukraine and Nord Stream 2 had not yet started operation.
Germany accuses Ukraine for involvement in blowing up the pipelines. This has been met with denials from Ukrainian authorities.
Volodymyr Zhuravlyov is suspected of planting explosives beneath the Baltic Sea on pipelines leading from Russia to Germany. His wife described him as a deep-sea diver who had no military role and called his arrest at their home just outside Warsaw "a nightmare".
Serhiy Kuznetsov, another suspect in Berlin's eyes, is currently fighting extradition to Germany from Italy after being accused of sabotage during the blasts.
Germany's foreign minister stated that he respects the Polish ruling, saying it was not for government to interfere with courts.
So I'm thinking, Poland just basically gave Ukraine a huge favor by refusing to extradite this guy Volodymyr Zhuravlyov... and it's all because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine 
. Like, the Polish judge was super clear that he saw Russia's actions as an act of war, so Ukraine has the right to defend itself 
. And honestly, I'm not surprised Germany is getting all worked up about this... they do have a history with Russia and the Nord Stream pipelines 
. But at the same time, it's kinda cool that Poland is sticking up for Ukraine like that 
. Maybe we'll see some more countries following suit? 