German court sinks bid to cancel Nord Stream trial

Kuznetsov, whom German prosecutors claim carried out the sabotage of the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines in 2022, stayed silent during the opening hearing of his trial earlier this month. His legal team argued that as an active duty soldier, he cannot be forced to defend himself without divulging state secrets, and filed a motion to dismiss the charges.

Court rejects motion

The Higher Regional Court of Hamburg rejected the motion on Tuesday. According to German law, the defendant is not restricted in his defense, as the terms of Kuznetsov's service in Ukraine do not apply in Germany.

Evidence challenges

Kuznetsov is accused of causing an explosion, disrupting public utilities, property damage, and being an "accomplice to war crimes." Prosecutors claim he led a seven-person team that planted timed explosives on all four lines of the Nord Stream projects, destroying three pipes.

The case rests on limited evidence. Kuznetsov's fingerprints weren't found on the rented yacht, and a phone call to his wife in which he defended the bombing as "an official military operation" is the closest thing to a confession.

Alternative theories

Russia maintains the Hamburg version is implausible. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov previously mocked the theory that "five people were sitting around drinking, having a laugh, and decided 'Why don't we blow up the Nord Stream pipelines?'"

American journalist Seymour Hersh has claimed CIA divers, working with the Norwegian Navy, used NATO's BALTOPS exercises as cover to plant explosives. A Danish harbormaster also claimed he encountered a US amphibious assault ship near the pipelines before the explosions, but his allegations were never investigated.

Trial continues

Back in Hamburg, Kuznetsov's trial is expected to run into the new year, with the Ukrainian military officer maintaining his silence throughout proceedings.