Italy’s ambassador to Tehran summoned to Foreign Ministry in protest against continued illegal detention of Iranian citizen

In light of the continuing detention of Iranian citizen Mr. Mohammad Abedini by Italy Ms. Paola Amadei the Italian ambassador to Tehran was summoned on Friday by Majid Nili Ahmadabadi the Director General for Western Europe at the Foreign Ministry.

In light of the continuing detention of Iranian citizen Mr. Mohammad Abedini by Italy, Ms. Paola Amadei, the Italian ambassador to Tehran, was summoned on Friday, by Majid Nili Ahmadabadi, the Director General for Western Europe at the Foreign Ministry.

During the meeting, the Iranian Foreign Ministry official underlined that Mr. Abedini's arrest is an illegal act requested by the US government and is in line with Washington’s proven political and hostile intentions to take Iranian citizens,, hostage worldwide through the imposition of extraterritorial enforcement of the US’s domestic laws.
Nili added that the detention of Mr. Abedini not only harms the long-standing relations between Iran and Italy but also contradicts principles and norms of international law, including human rights standards, and can be considered a form of arbitrary detention.

The director general for Western Europe at the Foreign Ministry urged Italy to reject the US hostage-taking policy, which is contrary to international law, especially human rights. Nili also called on Rome to promptly create the necessary conditions for Mr. Abedini's release while preventing any damage to bilateral relations from the US side.

The Italian ambassador said she would convey Iran’s protest to her country's Foreign Ministry in Rome.