Italian Justice Ministry Seeks Release of Iranian Suspect Wanted by U.S.

Italy's Justice Minister has recently initiated steps to revoke the arrest of Mohammad Abedini Najafabadi, an Iranian national sought by the U.S. for his alleged involvement in supplying materials for a drone strike that resulted in the deaths of three American soldiers. Najafabadi was detained in Milan last month, prompting a U.S. extradition request based on charges linked to a militant group's attack on a military installation in Jordan.

In an unexpected turn of events, the Italian Justice Ministry declared on Sunday that there were insufficient grounds to proceed with extradition, noting that the nature of the alleged offenses did not align with Italian law. While Iranian media reported Najafabadi's imminent release, the Italian government has yet to officially confirm his freedom. This decision came shortly after Iran's release of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, which Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni suggested resulted from diplomatic negotiations involving both Iran and the U.S.

The statement from the Justice Ministry also clarified that under the extradition treaty with the United States, extraditions can only occur for offenses recognized by both nations, highlighting that the U.S. charges against Najafabadi do not hold legal weight in Italy. Notably, accusations concerning his alleged support for a foreign terrorist organization were mentioned, but the ministry emphasized a lack of sufficient evidence to substantiate the claims. As discussions around international law and diplomatic relations unfold, Najafabadi's case stands as a significant touchpoint in the complex relations between Italy, Iran, and the United States.