International-News

Iran, Italian journalist Cecilia Sala detained: Farnesina follows case

Arrested on 19 December in Tehran, Cecilia Sala is currently being held in Evin prison. Italian diplomacy is working to clarify her situation

Cecilia Sala, the Italian journalist working in Iran to carry out some reportages, was arrested on 19 December by local authorities while in Tehran. The 32-year-old, who works for Chora Media and ‘Il Foglio’, had been in Iran since 12 December on a regular journalistic visa to carry out her investigations, which included producing episodes for her podcast ‘Stories’. He was scheduled to leave on 20 December, but after an exchange of messages with family members, his phone stopped working, triggering an alarm.

According to Chora Media, Sala was transferred to an isolation cell in the notorious Evin prison, known to house political prisoners and dissidents. The Iranian authorities have not yet clarified the reasons for his arrest. In response, the Farnesina immediately activated the diplomatic network, with the Italian embassy in Tehran monitoring the journalist’s legal situation. The embassy has already carried out a consular visit to verify Cecilia Sala’s condition.

The Italian ambassador to Iran, Paola Amadei, was able to meet with the local authorities to ascertain the journalist’s condition and reported that Cecilia Sala had been able to speak twice with family members. Following these visits, the Farnesina updated the family on the situation, asking the media to respect the privacy of the case in order to facilitate a speedy resolution.

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