An Iranian man sought by the US and arrested in Italy will return home on Sunday after a month in detention.
Mohammad Abedini Najafabadi’s arrest was the result of a “misunderstanding” and was resolved through negotiations between Iranian and Italian intelligence services, Iran’s judiciary said.
The Swiss-Iranian citizen, 38, was arrested at Malpensa Airport in Milan on December 16 under a US warrant over allegations he had supplied materials used in a drone attack in Jordan, which killed three American soldiers.
He was detained at the request of the US after a federal court charged him with conspiring to procure sensitive US technology for Iran’s military.
Mr Abedini's release came days after Italian journalist Cecilia Sala was allowed to return to Italy from Tehran after her arrest in mid-December for "violating the law of the Islamic Republic of Iran". Iran has denied a link between the two cases, but Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni discussed both with US president-elect Donald Trump this month, Italian newspaper Il Giornale reported.
Earlier on Sunday, Italy’s Justice Ministry requested that the detention of Mr Abedini be cancelled, saying it did not plan to extradite him to the US. Justice Minister Carlo Nordio asked a Milan court on Sunday to revoke the arrest. The charges he faces in the US do not exist in the Italian justice system, meaning there are no grounds for extradition, he added.
Iran's Judiciary said Mr Abedini "will return to the country in a few hours".
Mr Abedini had been held in a Milan jail since his arrest, with Iran denying the accusations and calling his detention an "illegal act" that risked damaging Rome-Tehran relations.
"The decision taken by Justice Minister Carlo Nordio happily surprised us," Mr Abedini's lawyer told Italian news agency Ansa. "My client is now a free person and he will be able to smile and hope once again.
"He always repeated to me that he believed and had confidence in justice."
RACE CARD
6.30pm: Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm: Meydan Sprint – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (Turf) 1,000m
7.40pm: Curlin Stakes – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (D) 2,200m
8.15pm: UAE Oaks – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,900m
8.50pm: Zabeel Mile – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,600m
9.25pm: Balanchine – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,800m
10pm: Al Shindagha Sprint – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,200m
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
More on animal trafficking
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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MATCH INFO
Manchester City 2 (Mahrez 04', Ake 84')
Leicester City 5 (Vardy 37' pen, 54', 58' pen, Maddison 77', Tielemans 88' pen)
Man of the match: Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
Stage result
1. Jasper Philipsen (Bel) Alpecin-Fenix 4:42:34
2. Sam Bennett (Irl) Bora-Hansgrohe
3. Elia Viviani (Ita) Ineos Grenadiers
4. Dylan Groenewegen (Ned) BikeExchange-Jayco
5. Emils Liepins (Lat) Trek-Segafredo
6. Arnaud Demare (Fra) Groupama-FDJ
7. Max Kanter (Ger) Movistar Team
8. Olav Kooij (Ned) Jumbo-Visma
9. Tom Devriendt (Bel) Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux
10. Pascal Ackermann (Ger) UAE Team Emirate
How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries
• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.
• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.
• If users do not wish to pay the fee, they can still use the library’s electronic resources for free by simply registering on the website. Once registered, a username and password is provided, allowing remote access.
• For more information visit the library network's website.
The Great Derangement: Climate Change and the Unthinkable
Amitav Ghosh, University of Chicago Press
