ROME (Reuters) – The United States has not made any formal request for the extradition of Iranian businessman Mohammad Abedini detained in Milan, the Italian justice minister said in an interview published on Thursday.
“The Abedini issue is purely legal… regardless of (the release of Italian journalist) Cecilia Sala,” Justice Minister Carlo Nordio said. “It is too early to talk about extradition, also because no official request has been sent to our ministry yet.” Daily said no stampa.
Abedini is wanted by the United States on suspicion of his involvement in a drone attack against American forces in Jordan. Iran has denied involvement and said last week that the detention of the Iranian citizen amounted to hostage-taking.
His arrest was linked to the arrest three days later of Italian reporter Cecilia Sala, who was arrested in Tehran on December 19 while working on a regular journalist visa and was released on January 8.
