The Iranian Abedini has returned to Iran (on a CAI plane)

This afternoon at 5:30 PM CET, a Dassault Falcon 900EX (reg. I-BCBG) operated by the Compagnia Aeronautica Italiana (CAI, the airline of the Italian intelligence services) landed in Tehran after departing from Milan Linate, where it had taken off at 12:48 PM.

https://t.co/FaiEY2upQl

I-BCBG departed Linate inbound for unknown destination. Last seen taking off in Ciampino on day 10th. Photo taken https://t.co/w0dnKaKbhX shows evident recent change in reg. number and is given as CAI – Compagnia Aeronautica Italiana.@itamilradar

— IZ0CDM Rob 🇮🇹 (@IZ0CDM) January 12, 2025

Yesterday, the aircraft had flown from Rome Fiumicino to Milan Malpensa, from where it departed this morning to reposition at Milan Linate. After a stop of about an hour, it took off for Tehran.

The timeline suggests this may have been the aircraft that returned Iranian-Swiss engineer Mohammad Abedini Najafabadi to Iran. Abedini had been arrested in Italy on December 16, 2024, at the request of the United States and was released today.

Abedini was accused of illegally exporting electronic components to Iran, which were allegedly used in the production of military drones involved in an attack that killed three U.S. soldiers.

A few days later, on December 19, 2024, Italian journalist Cecilia Sala was arrested in Tehran for allegedly violating Islamic laws. Sala was detained at Evin Prison, notorious for its harsh conditions.

The timing of the two arrests raised suspicions of a possible connection between the cases. On January 3, 2025, Iran proposed a prisoner swap, suggesting the release of Sala in exchange for Abedini.

After intense diplomatic negotiations, Cecilia Sala was freed on January 8, 2025, and returned to Italy, where her release was met with relief and joy. Subsequently, on January 12, 2025, Italian Justice Minister Carlo Nordio requested the revocation of Abedini’s preventive detention. He was released and returned to Iran.

Despite official denials of a direct link between the two cases, many observers believe the events were part of a diplomatic agreement between Italy and Iran.