Italy Releases Iranian Man Accused of Involvement in US Service Members’ Deaths

Italy has released an Iranian businessman accused of involvement in U.S. soldiers’ deaths despite the U.S.’s efforts to have him extradited.

At a Glance

Mohammad Abedini, wanted by U.S. for drone attack that killed three Americans, has been released by Italy
The Italian Justice Minister cited insufficient grounds for extradition.
The release occurred shortly after the freeing of an Italian journalist detained in Iran.

Abedini’s Arrest and Release

Mohammad Abedini, an Iranian citizen, was arrested on December 16 at Milan’s Malpensa airport on a U.S. warrant. The United States accused Abedini of supplying drone technology for a January 2024 attack on a U.S. outpost in Jordan that resulted in the deaths of three American soldiers. However, in a surprising turn of events, Italian Justice Minister Carlo Nordio requested a court to revoke Abedini’s arrest, citing insufficient grounds for extradition.

The charges against Abedini included criminal association to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and providing material support to a terrorist organization. Despite the severity of these accusations, Italy’s Justice Ministry stated that the extradition treaty with the U.S. requires crimes to be punishable under both countries’ laws, which was not the case for Abedini.

Italy will release Mohammad Najafabadi, a Revolutionary Guardsman wanted in the US for his involvement in the killing of three American soldiers by a drone strike on the Jordan-Syria border in January. His release comes days after Iran released Italian journalist Cecilia Sala. pic.twitter.com/pWtk2JSGU8

— Breaking News (@TheNewsTrending) January 12, 2025

Legal Justification for Release

The Italian Justice Ministry emphasized the legal basis for Abedini’s release, stating that the charges against him did not align with any crime recognized by Italian law. This discrepancy in legal systems became the crux of Italy’s decision to release the Iranian businessman, despite the serious nature of the U.S. accusations.

This statement underscores the complexity of international extradition processes and the potential for legal loopholes when dealing with crimes that may not have direct equivalents in different legal systems. The release of Abedini has raised questions about the effectiveness of international cooperation in combating terrorism and the challenges posed by differing legal frameworks.

Diplomatic Implications

The release of Abedini could have broader diplomatic implications, particularly in the context of Italy’s relationships with both Iran and the United States. Iranian state TV reported that Abedini’s release followed efforts by Iran’s foreign ministry and talks between Iranian and Italian intelligence services.

This statement by Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni hints at the complex diplomatic maneuvering that may have occurred behind the scenes. The situation was further complicated by the simultaneous detention and release of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala in Iran.

Potential Repercussions

It remains to be seen how the release of Abedini, despite U.S. charges linking him to the deaths of American soldiers, could affect U.S.-Italian relations. The incident highlights the challenges of navigating complex international relationships, particularly when dealing with countries like Iran that have tense relations with Western powers.