Iran slams Italy for holding citizen in US-driven hostage arrest
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The Italian envoy assured Iranian officials that she would promptly communicate Tehran's concerns to the Italian government.
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In this March 31, 2020, file photo, Iran's national flag waves as Milad telecommunications tower and buildings are seen in Tehran, Iran. (AP)
Iran has summoned Italy's ambassador to Tehran, Paola Amadei, to protest the detention of Iranian citizen Mohammad Abedini Najafabadi, held in Milan over allegations Tehran ruled out as baseless.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry called the arrest "illegal" and held the US responsible for orchestrating the action as part of a politically motivated campaign against Iran.
Majid Nili Ahmadabadi, Director General of West Europe at the Iranian Foreign Ministry, conveyed Iran's concerns during the meeting on Friday.
He criticized Italy's compliance with the US request, calling it an act of "political and hostile" intent that undermines international law.
He stated that the US government seeks to take Iranian nationals across the world hostage by imposing extraterritorial enforcement of the country's domestic laws.
Iran's Stance on Abedini's Detention
Nili Ahmadabadi added that the detention violates international principles, including human rights norms, and amounts to arbitrary detention.
He warned that the arrest risks damaging longstanding diplomatic ties between Tehran and Rome, urging Italy to reject the US hostage-taking policy, which is contrary to international law.
He also called for immediate action to secure Abedini's release.
"The Italian government should not allow the US to damage Tehran-Rome relations," Nili Ahmadabadi added.
Ambassador Amadei assured Iranian officials that she would promptly communicate Tehran's concerns to the Italian government.
Read more: Iran announces release of Hamid Nouri from Swedish prison
Background on the arrest
Abedini Najafabadi, a 38-year-old mechanical engineering graduate from Sharif University of Technology, was detained on December 16 at Milan Airport while traveling to Switzerland.
Italian authorities acted on a US request that Tehran alleges is part of a broader campaign against Iranian nationals.
Reports link Abedini's arrest to allegations that he, along with another Iranian detained in the US, was involved in supplying drones used in a January 28 attack by Iraqi armed groups on a US military outpost in Jordan.
Iran denies the claims and has criticized the lack of direct communication with Abedini since his detention.
