The Italian Ministry of Justice moves to release an Iranian man wanted by the United States

The Italian government announced on Sunday that the Italian Justice Minister has requested to cancel the arrest of an Iranian man wanted by the United States for allegedly providing materials used in a drone attack that killed three American soldiers.

Mohammad Abedini Najafabadi (38 years old) was arrested last month in Milan and the US Department of Justice requested his extradition. He was charged with illegally providing materials used in the attack by an Iranian-backed militia on a military base in Jordan.

The Italian Ministry of Justice said on Sunday that it did not have the necessary grounds to extradite him. Shortly after this announcement, Iranian state media and Mr. Abedini’s lawyer said he had been released, but the Italian government has yet to confirm this.

The Italian Ministry’s request to cancel the arrest came a few days later Iran releases an Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, who was arrested in Iran three days after Mr. Abedini’s arrest. She was arrested on charges of violating the laws of the Islamic Republic, although the Iranian government has not provided any details.

While the Italian government has never confirmed any link between the two cases, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said last week that Ms. Sala’s release was the result of diplomatic “triangulation” with the United States and Iran.

Shortly after Italy’s announcement, the official Iranian news agency (IRNA) said that the man “will return to his country within a few hours.”

In a government statement issued on Sunday, the Italian Ministry of Justice said that according to the extradition treaty concluded between Italy and the United States, no person can be extradited except for crimes punishable in both countries. They said Mr Abedini’s condition did not meet the criteria.

The ministry said one of the crimes he is accused of committing – conspiring to export advanced electronic components in violation of US export control and sanctions laws – is not punishable in Italy.

The Italian Ministry of Justice also said it had received no evidence to justify another accusation against Mr. Abedini, that he provided material support to a foreign terrorist organization. The Justice Department said it knew only that Abedini produced and traded technologies with potential, but not exclusive, military use with Iran.

Lily Nikonazar Contributed to reports.