Nord Stream sabotage suspect arrested: trained diver held in Croatia

German prosecutors announced the arrest of a trained diver, identified only as Vladimir Z., in connection with the 2022 explosions that damaged the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. The pipeline runs between Russia and Germany. Prosecutors said they "strongly suspect" Vladimir Z. of "jointly causing explosions" that ruptured the underwater gas pipeline. The arrest took place in Croatia, where the suspect was detained. The Nord Stream 2 pipeline was never put into operation. The explosions occurred in September 2022, releasing large amounts of gas into the Baltic Sea. The incident has been a subject of international investigation. The suspect is a professional diver, a skill that prosecutors believe was essential for placing explosives on the deep-sea pipeline. German authorities have not yet provided details on how the arrest was made or when he will be extradited to Germany. This is the first arrest linked to the sabotage. The investigation remains ongoing.