Italy Frees Iranian Engineer Abedini After Nordio Rejects US Extradition Request

Jan 12, 2025, 03:11 PM

Italian Justice Minister Carlo Nordio has requested the revocation of the arrest of Iranian engineer Mohammad Abedini Najafabadi, who was detained at Milan Airport on December 26 at the request of the United States. Abedini, a 38-year-old Swiss-Iranian national, was accused by the U.S. of supplying drone technology to Iran's Revolutionary Guards, allegedly used in an attack in Jordan that killed three American soldiers. The Italian Ministry of Justice stated that there is no evidence supporting the accusations and that the alleged offense is not recognized under the extradition treaty between Italy and the United States. Abedini was released from Milan's Opera prison early Sunday morning and is expected to return to Iran in the coming hours, according to Iran's judiciary. The decision comes days after Iran released Italian journalist Cecilia Sala from detention.