Iranian National Set to Return Home as Netherlands Denies U.S. Extradition Request

An Iranian national imprisoned in the Netherlands for allegedly violating U.S. sanctions is set to return home shortly. This significant development comes after the Dutch government’s decision to reject an extradition request from Washington. The case has sparked considerable attention, highlighting the complexities of international law and diplomatic relations.

Kazem Gharibabadi, the deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs, shared updates on this matter via X on Saturday. He confirmed that:

• The U.S. requested the extradition of Mehdi Kiyasati due to his alleged violations of sanctions.
• The Netherlands has officially rejected this extradition request.
• Kiyasati is expected to arrive in Iran within the next few hours.

Gharibabadi emphasized that Kiyasati’s release was achieved through diligent efforts from various Iranian authorities, including:

1. The Foreign Ministry
2. The Judiciary
3. The IRGC Intelligence Organization

Notably, in 2021, Gharibabadi had previously met with the Dutch ambassador to Iran to discuss Kiyasati’s case while serving as the secretary of the Judiciary’s High Council for Human Rights. This diplomatic dialogue played a crucial role in the eventual outcome of Kiyasati’s situation.