Charges Linked To Drone Strike Investigation Against Natick Engineer 'False', Lawyer Says

NATICK, MA — A Natick-based engineer that federal officials have linked to an investigation into an Iranian-backed drone strike in Jordan appeared in court again this week.

Lawyers for the engineer described the man as someone who left Iran because of his opposition to the political regime there, stating that he was living "the American Dream" until the allegations against him prompted his incarceration, the Boston Globe reported, noting that attorneys for the man called them "false."

Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi, 42, a dual U.S.-Iranian national, of Natick, was arraigned on Dec. 27 in U.S. District Court in Boston. He pleaded not guilty to 10 counts that he conspired to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and other regulations on Iranian transactions.

He has been in custody since his arrest on Dec. 16, the day his Natick home was raided, but US Magistrate Judge Donald Cabell is taking his attorney's request to release him under advisement, the Globe reported.

Prosecutors said Sadeghi misled his employer, tricking them into sending technological information to Iran through a company in Sweden. The Globe noted that the prosecution told the judge they believe he'll likely flee to Iran if released.

Mohammad Abedininajafabadi, also known as Mohammad Abedini, 38, of Tehran, Iran, has also been charged with "conspiring to export sophisticated electronic components from the United States to Iran in violation of U.S. export control and sanctions laws," federal officials said.

Abedini is also charged with providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization (FTO), that resulted in the deaths of three U.S. service members who were killed by a one-way attack drone on a military base in Jordan. He also owns the front company in Sweden prosecutors alleged Sadeghi sent the information to.

The Justice Department isn't alleging that Sadeghi exported parts used in the Jordan drone strike, but a trial attorney said they believe he knew that Abedini made parts for the Iranian military, the Globe reported. Sadeghi's attorneys said there is no evidence that he had that knowledge.

Abedini was also arrested on Dec. 16 in Italy by Italian authorities at the request of the United States. However, Italian authorities released him on Sunday after denying a request by the US to extradite him to Massachusetts.

It's reported that he returned to Iran, meaning, essentially, that US law enforcement is powerless when it comes to forcing him stateside.

• Read more about the case here: MA Man Charged In Iran-Backed Drone Strike Investigation: FBI