Ukrainian national suspected in Nord Stream sabotage seeks asylum in Croatia

Ukrainian national Volodymyr Zhuravliov, whom Germany suspects of blowing up both strings of the Nord Stream gas pipeline, has applied for political asylum in Croatia, although this does not automatically halt the extradition process to Germany.

"Volodymyr Zhuravliov has applied for political asylum in Croatia, arguing that he does not expect a fair trial in Germany," Zhuravliov's lawyer Mykola Katerynchuk said in a comment to Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne.

On 19 August, Germany's Federal Prosecutor General's Office announced Zhuravliov's arrest in Croatia in connection with the Nord Stream explosions case. Before that, he had twice avoided arrest and extradition to Germany.

In September, a Croatian court allowed the extradition of Zhuravliov to Germany.

Media reports said Zhuravliov was detained in Croatia while a Hollywood film about the sabotage was being filmed. The film is titled Snake Island.

Another Ukrainian national involved in the case, Serhii Kuznetsov, is in custody in Germany. He was arrested while on holiday in Italy last summer.