Iranian in NBI hands sparks extradition row

An Iranian national arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation on the request of the US Department of Justice remains in NBI custody six months after his capture, a bureau official said.

According to NBI-Foreign Liaison chief Claro de Castro Jr., a court battle is ongoing between the US government and Iran over the extradition of Parviz Khaki, 45, of Tehran.

De Castro said the Iranian Embassy in Manila, which is representing Khaki in the proceedings, had petitioned the Manila Regional Trial Court-Branch 21 to stop the extradition of Khaki to the US.

De Castro said Khaki was on his way back to Iran when he was arrested by NBI agents at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 on May 26, 2012.

He said that based on the information from the US justice department, the Iranian had been indicted by the District Court of Columbia for being part of a conspiracy to smuggle to Iran about 20 tons of specialized steel “with nuclear applications” and which are considered suitable for gas centrifuges used in uranium enrichment.

Khaki was indicted in the US for six counts of fraud over his attempt to deliver highly technical materials and nickel alloy to Iran, the NBI official also said.

De Castro said the suspect was also charged with money laundering and violating US laws with respect to the American embargo against Iran.