Iran confirms arrest Italian journalists

Iran confirms arrest Italian journalists

Iran confirmed the arrest of the Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, the state news agency IRNA reported, citing the Iranian Ministry of Culture.

Details for the arrest of Cecilia Sala

The Italian Foreign Ministry gave in a Explanation known that Sala had been arrested in Tehran. Irna reported on Monday that on December 19, for "violations of the laws of the Islamic Republic of Iran" she was taken into custody.

Investigations and legal status

"Your case is currently being investigated. The arrest was carried out in accordance with the relevant regulations, and the Italian embassy in Tehran was informed," said Irna, citing the Ministry of Culture. The reporter was visited on Friday by the Italian ambassador Paola Amadei in prison to check the conditions and the condition of her accommodation. In addition, she had the opportunity to make two phone calls with relatives.

unclear allegations and legal representation

"We don't know the exact charges yet," the Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told journalists on Saturday. A lawyer Sala had not yet visited in prison up to this point. Tajani added: "We hope that (the lawyer) can do so in the next few days and find out the exact charges as soon as possible."

reporting on the Situation in Iran

The arrest of Sala occurred while reporting in the Iranian capital. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs found that it works in close contact with the Iranian authorities to clarify the legal situation of Cecilia Sala and to check the conditions of their detention. Sala is a reporter for the Italian daily Il Foglio , which reports that the journalist is recorded in the Evin prison in Tehran. According to Il Foglio, Cecilia was "with a regular visa in Iran to report on a country that she knows and loves" while at the same time indicating the oppression of freedom of expression and the threats to journalists.

public support and solidarity

The editor -in -chief of the publication, Claudio Cerasa, commented on Friday in the newspaper: "Journalism is not a crime. Let's bring Cecilia Sala home." The Italian medium Chora Media , where Sala also reported on Friday that Rome on December 12th with a valid Had left journalistic visa and the protection of a journalist on business trip. "She carried out several interviews and produced three episodes of the Stories podcast for Chora News," said the medium and added that Sals had not made it public earlier because her parents and Italian authorities asked to stay still in the hope of a quick release of the journalist.