Ukrainian man Serhii Kuznietsov, suspected of coordinating the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipeline in 2022, has begun a hunger strike, demanding to respect his basic rights in prison. The information was announced by Serhii Kuznietsov's lawyer on November 4.
"Since October 31, Serhii Kuznietsov has refused food to demand respect for his basic rights," said lawyer Nicola Canestrini.
According to the lawyer, his client is asking for adequate nutrition, a healthy environment, decent detention conditions as well as "equal treatment with other prisoners for family visits and access to information".
The Nord Stream suspect's lawyer called for urgent intervention from the prison authorities and the Italian Ministry of Justice "to ensure conditions in accordance with the Constitution and international standards".
Last month, an appeal court in Bologna, Italy, ordered the extradition of suspect Serhii Kuznietsov to Germany, confirming the previous verdict.
However, the suspect is still being held in a high- security prison in Italy pending a further hearing in the Italian Supreme Court. The trial is expected to take place in about another month.
Serhii Kuznietsov was arrested in August near Rimini, Italy under a European investigation warrant and a German arrest warrant in connection with the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipeline.
At the September trial, lawyer Canestrini said his client denied any involvement in the Nord Stream attacks.
The Nord Stream explosion cut off Russian gas supplies to Europe, putting pressure on energy supplies there. No one has yet claimed responsibility for the Nord Stream explosion, and Ukraine has denied any role in the incident.
Regarding the Nord Stream suspect situation, Ukrainian Human Rights Inspectorate Dmytro Lubinets has sent a document to Italian Human Rights Inspectorate Marino Fardelli requesting the basic rights and conditions for detention of Ukrainian citizen Serhii Kuznietsov.
" Tomorrow, representatives of the Ukrainian Consulate and the Inspectorate will go to the detention site of Serhii Kuznietsov to check the detention conditions, health status of citizens and provide necessary support" - he informed on November 4.
Mr. Lubinets said that information from the lawyer of citizen Serhii Kuznietsov shows that this man is being held in Italy in a high-security prison without proper hygiene conditions, without access to food and beverage menus, without information or being able to contact his family.
The Ukrainian inspectorate also stressed that such conditions are unacceptable and violate the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Rights. He also noted that recently, a Polish court had released another Ukrainian citizen who was also accused of being involved in the Nord Stream explosion.
