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French court refuses extradiction of Iranian engineer
A French court rejected a high-profile extradition request from the United States on Wednesday, refusing to hand over an Iranian engineer accused of evading U.S. export controls to buy technology for military firms involved in Iran's nuclear program.
The case of Majid Kakavand, 37, showcased how the United States is doggedly going after people accused of obtaining technology or weapons for Iran's military, in many cases enlisting help from foreign countries.
Yet such cooperation is not simple, as the court ruling indicates. Kakavand's case dragged on for 14 months after his arrest as judges tried to determine if his business dealings violated French law as well as U.S. law -- a necessary condition for extradition.
The three-judge panel decided they did not, justifying its decision in a 30-page document. A U.S. Department of Justice spokesman said authorities were ''deeply disappointed.''