Iran summons Italian envoy over ‘illegal’ detention of own national
Iran’s Foreign Ministry summoned Italian Ambassador to Tehran Paola Amadei over “illegal” detention of Iranian national Mohammad Abedini in the European country.
Director General of the Western Europe Department at the Iran’s Foreign Ministry Majid Nili Ahmadabadi called Abedini’s arrest an illegal act that was made at the behest of the US government and in line with its hostile intentions to take Iranian citizens hostage all over the world.
Nili Ahmadabadi said the arrest of Abedini not only damages the long-standing relations between Iran and Italy, but also contradicts the principles of the international law.
He called on Italy to the immediately release the Iranian national to prevent harm to Tehran-Rome ties.
The Foreign Ministry’s move came a day after Italy’s Foreign Ministry summoned the Iranian ambassador to demand the release of reporter Cecilia Sala, who was arrested in Tehran in December 19 for “violating the laws of the Islamic Republic.”
The Italian ministry said in a statement it had relayed “serious concern” over Sala’s detention and stressed the need for humane treatment and respect for her human rights.
The Iranian Embassy in Rome also said Ambassador Mohammad Reza Sabouri exchanged views with Italy’s Foreign Ministry Secretary-General Riccardo Guariglia about the cases of detained nationals in Iran and Italy.
The embassy said Sala was being given all the humanitarian care necessary, and linked her case to that of Iranian national Mohammad Abedini, who was arrested last month in Milan at the request of the United States.
The embassy said that while Sala was being afforded all the necessary support as well as access to Italian consular staff, it expected reciprocal treatment for Abedini.
This included a speeded-up release for him as well as “welfare assistance”.
IRNA reported on Monday that Sala had been arrested for “violating the laws of the Islamic Republic.”
Sala was detained three days after Abedini was arrested at Milan’s Malpensa Airport on a US warrant for allegedly supplying drone parts that Washington says were used in a 2023 attack that killed three US service members in Jordan.
Iran has denied involvement in the attack, and its foreign ministry has said Abedini’s arrest violated international law.
Abedini is currently being held in prison and a court is due to decide later this month whether to grant him house arrest while judges consider the US extradition request.