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Italian journalist Cecilia Sala arrested in Iran – what now?
Italy is working to free journalist Cecilia Sala, who has been held in Iran for over a week.
Italian journalist Cecilia Sala arrested in Iran – what now?
On a shocking Friday, the world became aware of the dramatic situation of a young journalist being held captive by the Iranian regime! Cecilia Sala, just 29 years old, was arrested in Tehran on December 19 and the Italian government is now desperately fighting for her freedom.
Italian authorities only recently released the alarming news of Sala's arrest. She works for the renowned newspaper Il Foglio and the podcast company Chora Media. Her arrest has caused outrage in Italy and the government is mobilizing all its forces to bring the journalist home.
A cry of outrage
Guido Crosetto, the Italian defense minister and a key player in Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government, spoke out on the social media platform X, calling the arrest "unacceptable." “Italy is working tirelessly to free them and explore all options,” he said. But the Iranian authorities have not yet officially confirmed the arrest.
The Italian embassy in Tehran is following the case with the utmost attention. A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said they were working with Iranian authorities to clarify Sala's legal status and review the conditions of her detention. Sala is in the notorious Evin prison, where she is being held in solitary confinement - a worrying situation that heightens concerns about her well-being.
A desperate cry for help
Since her arrest, Cecilia Sala has only been able to make two phone calls. Chora Media, the company she works for, has stated that her “free voice” has been deprived of the floor and that this arbitrary arrest cannot be tolerated by Italy and Europe. “Cecilia Sala must be freed immediately,” the company urged.
The journalist traveled to Iran on December 12th with a valid journalist visa to conduct interviews and work on her podcast “Stories”. She was scheduled to fly back to Rome on December 20th. But now their fate is uncertain, and tensions between Rome and Tehran could play a role. Just last week, Iran summoned a high-ranking Italian diplomat and the Swiss ambassador, putting additional strain on diplomatic relations.
The Italian embassy visited Sala in prison and she was also in contact with her family. She is reportedly “very tired” but “physically fine.” The opposition in Italy, led by Elly Schlein, calls on the government to act quickly and take all necessary steps to clarify the reasons for her arrest and to return Cecilia Sala to Italy as quickly as possible.