Italy’s Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, has summoned the Iranian envoy to Rome following the prolonged confinement of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, who has been isolated since her apprehension in Tehran two weeks ago.
Tajani, addressing the situation on X, pledged efforts to secure Sala’s release.
“The government, as it has from the first day of Cecilia Sala’s arrest, is working tirelessly to bring her home, and we demand that all her rights be respected. We will not leave Cecilia and her parents’ side until her release,” Tajani said.
The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Sala, a correspondent for Il Foglio and a collaborator with Chora Media, was detained on December 19 while undertaking journalistic assignments in the Iranian capital. She is being held at Evin prison, notorious for its harsh conditions.
Ambassador Paola Amadei visited Sala in detention, evaluating her situation and reporting that she had managed two brief phone calls to her family.
Chora Media disclosed that Sala had entered Iran with a valid journalist visa on December 12 to conduct interviews and gather material for her podcast series, “Stories.” She was to depart for Rome on December 20 after completing her work, but her arrest disrupted those plans.
The organisation confirmed that Sala is in solitary confinement, with no justification for her detention provided thus far.
In a statement, Il Foglio painted her as a journalist deeply connected to Iran, despite its restrictions on press freedom. The publication’s editor, Claudio Cerasa, called for her immediate release, asserting, “Journalism is not a crime. Let’s bring Cecilia Sala home.”
Iranian state media later alleged that Sala had violated the nation’s laws, though details of the accusations remain sparse.
Italy has denounced her detention as unacceptable, with Defence Minister Guido Crosetto advocating for discreet but high-level diplomatic engagement to resolve the matter. While the precise reasons for Sala’s arrest remain obscure, Tehran claims consular access has been granted.
