Polish Court Extends Custody for Ukrainian Diver Amid Nord Stream Probe

A Polish court has extended the custody of Volodymyr Z., a Ukrainian diver wanted by Germany for his alleged involvement in the Nord Stream gas pipeline explosions, by 40 days. The court's decision comes as they consider his extradition to Germany under a European arrest warrant.

Volodymyr Z. was detained last week near Warsaw and initially held for seven days. The extension of his detention reflects the seriousness of the allegations, which both Moscow and the West have called an act of sabotage, further escalating the Ukraine conflict and affecting energy supplies.

The German prosecutors accuse Volodymyr Z. of being part of a group that allegedly rented a yacht and planted explosives on the pipelines near Bornholm in September 2022. He faces charges of conspiring to commit an explosives attack and anti-constitutional sabotage.

(With inputs from agencies.)