No reason given
Iran arrests Italian journalist
12/27/2024 – 11:03 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
An Italian journalist has been in prison in Iran for a week, it has now been revealed. The government in Rome is trying to get her released.
Italy’s government says it is making intensive efforts to secure the release of a journalist who has been imprisoned in Iran for over a week. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said on Friday on the online platform X that the arrest of 29-year-old Cecilia Sala was unacceptable. “Italy is working tirelessly to free her.” All options for this would be pursued.
The Foreign Ministry in Rome said it was in contact with the authorities in the Islamic Republic. Sala, who works for the newspaper “Il Foglio” and for the podcast company Chora Media, was arrested by the police in Tehran on December 19th. Iranian authorities did not immediately comment.
Chora Media said Sala was in solitary confinement in Evin Prison in Tehran. A reason for her arrest was not given. The news of her arrest was not immediately made public because her family and the Italian authorities had hoped to keep her quiet and ensure her quick release. The Italian Foreign Ministry in Rome called on the media to exercise “maximum discretion.” Chora Media appealed under the hashtag #FreeCecilia: “Her free voice has been silenced and neither Italy nor Europe can tolerate this arbitrary arrest. Cecilia Sala must be released immediately.”
It initially remained unclear whether the arrest could be related to the recent tensions between Italy and Iran. Last week, the Iranian government summoned a senior Italian diplomat and the Swiss ambassador, who represents U.S. interests, over the arrest of two Iranian nationals. One of the men was arrested in Italy at the request of the United States.
The Italian ambassador visited Sala in prison on Friday. The journalist was also in contact with her family by telephone, it was said. According to insiders, Sala is physically fine, but is very exhausted.
