Croatian court approves extradition of Ukrainian diver to German authorities
A Croatian regional court has authorized the transfer of Ukrainian diver Żurawlow to Germany for prosecution under European arrest warrants.
The Pula District Court in Croatia gave its consent to hand over Ukrainian diver Żurawlow to German law enforcement, responding to two European arrest warrants dated June 2024 and August 2026. The earlier warrant accuses him of sabotage and intentional explosion, while the later adds a war-crime charge for attacks on civilian infrastructure. Żurawlow, who says he was in Ukraine at the time of the Nord Stream explosions, disputes any involvement.
His defense cited a Polish court ruling that refused Germany's request and invoked the principle of non bis in idem, but the Croatian judges ruled that the Polish decision does not affect their assessment of the European warrants. If convicted in Germany, he faces up to 15 years in prison. Żurawlow announced a hunger strike in protest of the ruling.
