French court rules against extradition of Iranian engineer accused by US of export breach

French court refuses extradition of Iranian to US

PARIS — A French court has turned down the United States’ request for the extradition of an Iranian engineer who is accused of evading export controls to purchase U.S. technology for Iran’s military.

Majid Kakavand is suspected by the United States of buying American electronics over the Internet and routing them to Iran via Malaysia. The case has dragged on for over a year and has sensitive diplomatic implications in three countries.

A French state prosecutor had contested the U.S. claim that Kakavand’s purchases had military uses.

France has no general trade embargo on Iran like the U.S. has, and Kakavand’s lawyers have argued he didn’t break any laws here.

The court issued its ruling Wednesday.