Italian journalist Cecilia Sala was arrested last Thursday in Tehran, the capital of Iran, and remains in custody, according to the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Sala was in the country for professional purposes.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, along with Italy’s diplomatic representation in Tehran, is actively monitoring the situation. The ministry stated that efforts are being made to “clarify the legal situation and circumstances” surrounding Sala’s arrest. On Friday, the Italian ambassador conducted a consular visit to the journalist.
Sala, a reporter for the Italian newspaper Il Foglio and a podcast producer for Chora Media, is reportedly being held in Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison, known for detaining many political prisoners. Chora Media disclosed that Sala is in solitary confinement and remains unaware of the reasons behind her detention.
The media company confirmed that Sala traveled to Iran from Rome on December 12 with a valid journalist visa. While in Iran, she conducted several interviews and produced three episodes of her podcast. She had been scheduled to return to Rome on December 20, the day after her arrest.
The case has sparked significant concern, with calls for clarity on the circumstances of Sala’s detention and efforts to secure her release continuing at the highest diplomatic levels.
