Italian Government Working to Secure Release of Journalist Cecilia Sala
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani expressed hope for the imminent release of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, who was arrested on December 19 in Tehran. Tajani stated that while the timeline is uncertain, the Italian government is working to resolve the issue and ensure Sala’s detention conditions are as favorable as possible.
Conditions of Detention
According to Tajani, Sala is being treated with dignity and respect, receiving food and consular visits. The Italian ambassador to Iran, Paola Amadei, has confirmed that Sala’s treatment is dignified and respectful of her person. Although she is detained in a single cell, Sala is not isolated and has been able to communicate with her family on two occasions.
Government Involvement
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is closely monitoring the situation and is in constant contact with Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano. The government has activated all possible dialogues to facilitate Sala’s return home as soon as possible, while exercising necessary prudence.
Background on Cecilia Sala’s Arrest
Sala, a 29-year-old international information expert and contributor to the newspaper ‘Il Foglio,’ was arrested on December 19 at her hotel in Tehran. She had been in the country for ten days on a journalistic visa, reporting on the situation in Iran and the impact of the Syrian regime’s fall. Sala had also published reports on the living conditions of women in Iran and participated in a podcast about patriarchy in Tehran.
Current Detention
Sala is currently being held in the Evin prison in Tehran, where opponents of the regime are imprisoned. This is not her first experience in the prison, as she was detained there for 45 days in 2022, along with Italian traveler Alessia Piperno, during protests over the murder of Mahsa Amini.