Italy’s Justice Minister requests the annulment of the arrest of Iranian national Mohammad Abedini, wanted by the U.S. for a deadly drone strike. The Ministry argues that the charges do not align with Italian law, complicating extradition proceedings amid recent diplomatic negotiations following the release of journalist Cecilia Sala.
Italy’s Justice Minister has formally requested an appeals court to overturn the arrest of Mohammad Abedini, an Iranian national sought by the United States for his alleged involvement in a drone strike in Jordan that resulted in the deaths of three American servicemen last year. Abedini is set to appear in a Milan court to request house arrest while the extradition proceedings are ongoing. His arrest occurred on December 16, shortly before the detention of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala in Iran, raising questions about possible diplomatic negotiations related to Abedini’s case.
According to an official statement from the Italian Justice Ministry, the extradition treaties between Italy and the U.S. stipulate that only those crimes recognized by both nations’ legal systems warrant extradition, a criterion that the Ministry claims is not satisfied in Abedini’s case. Specifically, the alleged offense of criminal association for breaching the International Emergency Economic Powers Act lacks a parallel in Italian law, thus rendering the extradition proceedings questionable.
The U.S. Justice Department has accused Mr. Abedini of providing drone technology to Iran, reportedly implicated in a January 2024 attack that claimed the lives of American troops in Jordan. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni characterized the situation as involving a “diplomatic triangulation” between Iran and the U.S., suggesting that Washington’s interests were integrated into the negotiations for Sala’s release. This release came shortly after Prime Minister Meloni met with then-President-elect Donald Trump during an unanticipated visit to Florida.
The situation concerning Mr. Abedini revolves around international legal standards and diplomatic relations between Italy, the United States, and Iran. The U.S. has issued a warrant leading to Abedini’s arrest, asserting he played a significant role in a military action that resulted in American casualties. On the Italian side, the Justice Ministry’s stance emphasizes that extradition should only occur in cases where the alleged criminal actions are recognized as offenses in both jurisdictions.
In summary, Italy’s Justice Minister is advocating for the annulment of the arrest of Mohammad Abedini under a U.S. warrant, citing legal reasons that the alleged charges do not align with Italian law. The outcome of this legal struggle will unfold as Abedini appears in court for his extradition hearing, with implications for both U.S.-Italy relations and broader diplomatic negotiations influenced by the recent release of journalist Cecilia Sala.
Original Source: apnews.com
