Italy’s justice minister has requested to carry the arrest of an Iranian needed by the USA for allegedly offering supplies utilized in a drone strike that killed three American troopers, the Italian authorities mentioned Sunday.
Mohammad Abedini Najafabadi, 38, was arrested final month in Milan and the US Division of Justice has requested his extradition. He was accused of illegally offering supplies utilized in an Iranian-backed militia assault on a navy base in Jordan.
On Sunday, Italy’s justice ministry mentioned there have been no grounds to extradite him. Quickly after the announcement, Iranian state media and Mr. Abedini’s lawyer mentioned he was at massive, however the Italian authorities has not but confirmed this.
The Italian ministry’s request that the arrest be lifted got here simply days later Iran frees Italian reporter Cecilia Sala, who was arrested in Iran three days after Mr. Abedini’s detention. She was arrested on expenses of violating the legal guidelines of the Islamic Republic, though the Iranian authorities by no means supplied particulars.
Though the Italian authorities has by no means confirmed any hyperlink between the 2 circumstances, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni mentioned final week that Ms Sala’s launch was the results of diplomatic “triangulation” with the USA and Iran.
Shortly after Italy’s announcement, IRNA, Iran’s state information company, mentioned the person “will return to his nation in just a few hours.”
In a authorities assertion on Sunday, Italy’s justice ministry mentioned that underneath the extradition treaty between Italy and the USA, an individual can solely be extradited for crimes punishable in each nations. They mentioned Mr. Abedini’s case didn’t meet the standards.
One of many crimes he’s charged with – conspiring to export subtle digital elements in violation of US export management legal guidelines and sanctions – isn’t punishable in Italy, the ministry mentioned.
Italy’s justice ministry additionally mentioned it had obtained no proof to justify one other cost introduced in opposition to Mr. Abedini: that he had allegedly supplied materials assist to a overseas terrorist group. The Justice Division mentioned it knew solely that Mr. Abedini was producing and buying and selling with Iran know-how that had potential, however not unique, navy use.
Leyli Nikunazar contributed reporting.
