BERLIN, July 1 (Xinhua) -- German federal prosecutors have charged a Ukrainian national over the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines, local media reported Wednesday, citing the suspect's lawyer.
The suspect, identified as Serhii K., has been charged with attacks on civilian energy infrastructure, causing explosions and damaging buildings, the reports said.
Germany's Federal Court of Justice said in an earlier statement that several suspects allegedly used a sailing yacht to place explosives on the pipelines and detonate them. Serhii K. is accused of acting as a coordinator in the operation.
He was arrested in Italy in August last year, extradited to Germany in November, and has since been held in custody.
The reports said Serhii K. allegedly incriminated himself in phone calls with relatives and acquaintances while in extradition custody in Italy. Investigators also found evidence on his mobile phone indicating his involvement, the reports added, citing security sources.
On Sept. 26, 2022, explosions damaged the Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines under the Baltic Sea near Denmark and Sweden, causing large gas leaks.
Three of the four pipeline strings were damaged in what investigators believe was an act of sabotage. ■
