Italy’s foreign ministry summoned the Iranian ambassador on Thursday to demand the immediate release of reporter Cecilia Sala, who has been detained in Tehran since December 19. Sala, who was working under a regular journalistic visa, has faced harsh conditions, with reports indicating she is being held in solitary confinement in a freezing cell under constant neon light. Her glasses have been confiscated, and she has had little contact with the outside world.
The Italian foreign ministry expressed “serious concern” over Sala’s detention, emphasizing the need for her humane treatment and the respect of her human rights. Secretary General Riccardo Guariglia demanded that embassy staff be granted access to Sala and be allowed to deliver “comfort items” that she has been denied so far.
Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported that Sala was arrested for “violating the laws of the Islamic Republic” but provided no further details. The detention came three days after Iranian businessman Mohammad Abedini was arrested at Milan’s Malpensa Airport on a US warrant for allegedly supplying drone parts used in a 2023 attack in Jordan that killed three US service members.
In recent years, Iran has detained dozens of foreigners and dual nationals on charges related to espionage and security, a move that rights groups claim is aimed at extracting political concessions. Iranian authorities deny these allegations.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is set to discuss Sala’s case with her foreign and justice ministers later today.
