Reporter Cecilia Sala, who was detained in Tehran on December 19 while operating under a standard journalistic visa, was summoned by Italy’s foreign ministry on Thursday to urge her immediate release.
In a statement, the ministry expressed grave worry about Sala’s imprisonment and emphasized the importance of treating her humanely and upholding her rights.
Later, the Iranian embassy in Rome said that Sala was receiving all the aid she needed and, for the first time, connected her case to that of an Iranian national who was detained in Milan last month at the US government’s request.
According to Italian media, Sala is kept in solitary confinement in a frigid cell with a neon light that is on all day and all night. She has seldom interacted with the outside world, and her glasses have been seized.
Riccardo Guariglia, secretary general of the Italian foreign ministry, called for the embassy employees in Tehran to be permitted to visit Sala and give her the comfort goods she has been refused thus far, according to the ministry.
Sala was arrested for breaking Islamic Republic laws, according to a Monday report from Iran’s official IRNA news agency. It provided no other details.
Sala’s detention came three days after Iranian businessman Muhammad Abedini was taken into custody at Milan’s Malpensa Airport on a U.S. warrant for allegedly delivering drone parts that Washington claims were used in an attack in Jordan in 2023 that killed three U.S. service men.
Iran’s foreign ministry has stated that Abedini’s arrest was against international law, and the country has denied any role in the incident.
While judges review the U.S. extradition request, Abedini is being kept in jail and a court is scheduled to rule later this month whether to place him under home arrest.
According to the Iranian embassy, Abedini should receive the same treatment as Sala, even though Sala was receiving all the assistance he needed and access to Italian diplomatic personnel.
This includes welfare support and an expedited release for him.
Numerous foreigners and dual nationalities have been detained by Iran’s security forces in recent years, primarily on espionage and security-related allegations. Rights organizations have charged that Iran uses these arrests to pressure other nations into making concessions. Iran disputes this.
Later on Thursday, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is scheduled to meet with her justice and foreign ministers to discuss Sala’s issue, according to her office.
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