Italian journalist Cecilia Sala has been detained in Tehran, Iran, Italy’s foreign ministry confirmed in a statement on Friday.
Sala, a reporter for Il Foglio and contributor to Chora Media, was arrested on December 19 while reporting in the Iranian capital.
The ministry stated that Sala had been “stopped by Tehran police” and is currently being held in Evin prison.
Italian Ambassador Paola Amadei visited her in detention on Friday to assess her condition. Sala had also been allowed to make two phone calls to her family prior to the visit.
Chora Media revealed that Sala had travelled to Iran on December 12 with a valid journalist visa to conduct interviews and produce episodes for her “Stories” podcast.
The media outlet stated that Sala had completed her assignments and was scheduled to return to Rome on December 20. They also confirmed that she is being held in solitary confinement but said no reason has been provided for her arrest.
In its statement, Il Foglio described Sala as a journalist dedicated to reporting on a country she both knows and admires, despite its challenges to free speech and its treatment of the press.
The newspaper’s editor, Claudio Cerasa, called for her immediate release, writing: “Journalism is not a crime. Let’s bring Cecilia Sala home.”
The Italian government, meanwhile, says it is prioritising Sala’s release. Defence Minister Guido Crosetto noted on social media that negotiations with Iran require “high-level political and diplomatic action” rather than public pressure.
The reasons for Sala’s arrest remain unclear, and Iranian authorities have yet to comment on the case.
