Italy's Justice Ministry has called to revoke the arrest of Iranian Mohammad Abedini Najafabadi, sought by the U.S. for involvement in a drone strike, citing insufficient grounds for extradition.
Italian Justice Ministry Moves to Free Iranian Accused in US Drone Attack Case
Italian Justice Ministry Moves to Free Iranian Accused in US Drone Attack Case
Justice Minister's request follows Italy's skipped extradition amid diplomatic shifts with Iran.
A significant diplomatic maneuver unfolded recently as Italy’s Justice Ministry reported its decision regarding Iranian national Mohammad Abedini Najafabadi, who is wanted by the United States for allegedly aiding in a drone attack that resulted in the deaths of three American soldiers. The Ministry announced on Sunday that it had requested the annulment of the Iranian man's arrest, which had taken place in Milan last month, and had triggered an extradition request from U.S. authorities.
Najafabadi, 38, faced charges in the U.S., including supplying materials used in an assault orchestrated by an Iranian-backed militia at a military base in Jordan. However, the Ministry indicated that the extradition stipulations between Italy and the U.S. did not apply in this case, as the crimes were not recognized under Italian law.
The announcement emerged shortly after the release of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala from Iranian custody. She had been detained under accusations that Iranian officials failed to elaborate, just days after Najafabadi's own arrest. Although the Italian government refrained from directly linking these two developments, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni alluded to a larger diplomatic strategy involving both the U.S. and Iran to facilitate Ms. Sala's freedom.
Upon the Ministry's declaration, Iranian state media reported that Najafabadi would soon return to Iran, though the Italian government has not yet confirmed his release. The Justice Ministry emphasized its inability to provide justification for extradition, noting that one of the charges stemming from Najafabadi's actions, related to exporting controlled electronic components in violation of U.S. laws, is not a crime in Italy. Furthermore, it clarified that the accusations of assisting a foreign terrorist organization lacked adequate evidentiary support.
As international relations remain intricate, the legal outcomes surrounding Najafabadi's case exemplify the delicate interplay between justice and diplomacy on a global scale.
Najafabadi, 38, faced charges in the U.S., including supplying materials used in an assault orchestrated by an Iranian-backed militia at a military base in Jordan. However, the Ministry indicated that the extradition stipulations between Italy and the U.S. did not apply in this case, as the crimes were not recognized under Italian law.
The announcement emerged shortly after the release of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala from Iranian custody. She had been detained under accusations that Iranian officials failed to elaborate, just days after Najafabadi's own arrest. Although the Italian government refrained from directly linking these two developments, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni alluded to a larger diplomatic strategy involving both the U.S. and Iran to facilitate Ms. Sala's freedom.
Upon the Ministry's declaration, Iranian state media reported that Najafabadi would soon return to Iran, though the Italian government has not yet confirmed his release. The Justice Ministry emphasized its inability to provide justification for extradition, noting that one of the charges stemming from Najafabadi's actions, related to exporting controlled electronic components in violation of U.S. laws, is not a crime in Italy. Furthermore, it clarified that the accusations of assisting a foreign terrorist organization lacked adequate evidentiary support.
As international relations remain intricate, the legal outcomes surrounding Najafabadi's case exemplify the delicate interplay between justice and diplomacy on a global scale.
