Italy’s justice minister has requested the revocation of the arrest of an Iranian man sought by the US for allegedly offering materials utilized in a drone assault that killed three American troopers, the Italian authorities introduced on Sunday.
Mohammad Abedini Najafabadi, 38, was arrested final month in Milan and the U.S. Justice Division had requested for his extradition. He was charged with illegally offering materials used within the assault by an Iranian-backed militia on a navy base in Jordan.
On Sunday, the Italian Justice Ministry mentioned it didn’t have the grounds to extradite him. Quickly after the announcement, Iranian state media and Mr. Abedini’s lawyer mentioned he was free, however the Italian authorities has not but confirmed that.
The Italian ministry’s request for the arrest to be revoked got here simply days after Iran freed an Italian reporter, Cecilia Sala, who had been arrested in Iran three days after Mr. Abedini was detained. She was arrested on accusations of violating the legal guidelines of the Islamic Republic, although the Iranian authorities by no means offered particulars.
Whereas the Italian authorities by no means confirmed any connection between the 2 circumstances, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni mentioned final week that Ms. Sala’s launch was the results of a diplomatic “triangulation” with the US and Iran.
Shortly after Italy’s announcement, IRNA, Iran’s state information company, mentioned that the person “will return to his nation in a couple of hours.”
In Sunday’s authorities assertion, Italy’s Justice Ministry mentioned that in keeping with the extradition treaty between Italy and the US, an individual may very well be extradited just for crimes which can be punished in each nations. Mr. Abedini’s case, they mentioned, didn’t match the standards.
One of many crimes that he’s accused of — conspiring to export subtle digital elements in violation of U.S. export management and sanctions legal guidelines — will not be punished in Italy, the ministry mentioned.
Italy’s Justice Ministry additionally mentioned that it had not acquired proof to justify one other accusation leveled in opposition to Mr. Abedini: that he allegedly offered materials assist to a overseas terrorist group. The Justice Ministry mentioned that it knew solely that Mr. Abedini produced and traded applied sciences with Iran that had potential, however not unique, navy use.
Leily Nikounazar contributed reporting.
