The Italian government's decision follows Iran's recent release of an Italian journalist amid diplomatic negotiations.
Italian Justice Ministry Seeks Release of Iranian Accused by U.S.
Italian Justice Ministry Seeks Release of Iranian Accused by U.S.
Italy's justice minister moves to revoke the arrest of an Iranian man wanted by the U.S. for alleged involvement in a deadly drone attack.
In a surprising turn of events, Italy's Justice Ministry has announced its request to revoke the arrest of Mohammad Abedini Najafabadi, an Iranian man sought by the United States on serious charges including his alleged role in providing materials for a drone strike that claimed the lives of three American soldiers. The announcement came on Sunday, just weeks after Najafabadi was apprehended in Milan, as the U.S. Justice Department was pushing for his extradition.
Abedini faces accusations of illegally supplying components used in a drone attack conducted by an Iranian-backed militia against a military base in Jordan. However, the Italian Justice Ministry stated that it found insufficient grounds to proceed with extradition, citing the lack of corresponding offenses under Italian law for one of the charges against him.
Interestingly, the timing of this development aligns closely with Iran's recent release of Cecilia Sala, an Italian journalist who had been detained in Tehran shortly after Najafabadi's arrest. Although the Italian government has not publicly confirmed a direct link between the two cases, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has hinted that Sala's release was facilitated through diplomatic negotiations involving both the U.S. and Iran.
Following Italy’s announcement, Iranian state media reported that Najafabini would be returning to Iran soon. The Italian Justice Ministry clarified that their extradition treaty stipulates that an individual could only be extradited if the alleged crimes are punishable in both the U.S. and Italy. According to their statement, one of the accusations—conspiring to export advanced electronic components in breach of U.S. laws—lacks a corresponding penalty in Italy. Additionally, the government asserted that they had not received sufficient evidence to support another claim that Najafabini provided material support to a foreign terrorist organization.
The situation highlights the complexities of international law and diplomacy, especially concerning cases of alleged terrorism and military support.
Abedini faces accusations of illegally supplying components used in a drone attack conducted by an Iranian-backed militia against a military base in Jordan. However, the Italian Justice Ministry stated that it found insufficient grounds to proceed with extradition, citing the lack of corresponding offenses under Italian law for one of the charges against him.
Interestingly, the timing of this development aligns closely with Iran's recent release of Cecilia Sala, an Italian journalist who had been detained in Tehran shortly after Najafabadi's arrest. Although the Italian government has not publicly confirmed a direct link between the two cases, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has hinted that Sala's release was facilitated through diplomatic negotiations involving both the U.S. and Iran.
Following Italy’s announcement, Iranian state media reported that Najafabini would be returning to Iran soon. The Italian Justice Ministry clarified that their extradition treaty stipulates that an individual could only be extradited if the alleged crimes are punishable in both the U.S. and Italy. According to their statement, one of the accusations—conspiring to export advanced electronic components in breach of U.S. laws—lacks a corresponding penalty in Italy. Additionally, the government asserted that they had not received sufficient evidence to support another claim that Najafabini provided material support to a foreign terrorist organization.
The situation highlights the complexities of international law and diplomacy, especially concerning cases of alleged terrorism and military support.
