One day after the release of Cecilia Sala, an Italian journalist detained in Tehran, and her return to Italy, Carlo Nordio, Italy’s Minister of Justice, stated that the U.S. has not formally requested the extradition of Mohammad Abedini Najafabadi, an Iranian detained in Milan. *
On Thursday, January 9, Justice Minister Carlo Nordio described Abedini Najafabadi’s case as a legal matter and stated that it was unrelated to Sala’s release.
Nordio explained that it is too early to discuss Abedini’s extradition to the U.S. since no formal request has been submitted yet.
One day before these remarks, Sala was released and returned to Italy, after 20 days in detention in Tehran.
Italian Journalist Cecilia Sala Arrested in Tehran: Mystery Surrounds Detention
The Italian newspaper Il Giornale, which is close to the Italian government, previously reported that Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s Prime Minister, secured Donald Trump’s agreement to “suspend” the extradition process of Abedini Najafabadi during her January 4 meeting with the U.S. president-elect.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden was scheduled to visit Rome from January 9 to 12 for meetings with Prime Minister Meloni and Pope Francis. However, the White House announced that Biden had canceled his trip due to the massive wildfires in California.
Speculation had arisen that Biden’s visit would include discussions on Abedini Najafabadi’s extradition from Italy to the U.S.
On January 2, Milan’s Attorney General, citing the risk of Abedini Najafabadi fleeing before a decision on his extradition to the U.S., opposed his conditional release and transfer to house arrest.
The Milan Court of Appeals has scheduled a hearing on January 15 to review Abedini Najafabadi’s request for house arrest.
Mohammad Abedini Najafabadi, 38, was arrested at Milan Airport on December 16, 2024, at the request of the United States. He is accused by U.S. authorities of providing technology used in a drone attack in Jordan that killed three American soldiers.
