Italy Presses Iran for Guarantees on Detained Journalist Cecilia Sala’s Welfare and Release

Rome: Italy has formally requested Iran to provide assurances regarding the detention conditions of journalist Cecilia Sala, as well as her immediate release. The plea was made through a verbal note delivered by Italian Ambassador Paola Amadei to the Iranian government. This diplomatic effort is part of a coordinated initiative led by Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, involving Premier Giorgia Meloni, Justice Minister Carlo Nordio, and Cabinet Undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano, aiming for a swift resolution to the situation, as informed sources disclosed.

According to Ansa News Agency, Sala, a 29-year-old freelance correspondent for Il Foglio and a podcaster for Chora News, was arrested on December 19 on vague charges of breaching Islamic law. She is currently held in solitary confinement at Tehran’s Evin prison. Italy has prioritized securing favorable detention conditions for Sala, including the ability to send care packages.

Farnesina sources emphasized that the treatment and circumstanc
es surrounding Sala’s detention will serve as clear indicators of the Iranian government’s stance towards the Italian Republic. The demands made to Iranian officials also include a request for a subsequent meeting between Ambassador Amadei and Sala, following a previous encounter on December 27.

Foreign Minister Tajani expressed hope for a prompt meeting, underscoring the ongoing discreet efforts to resolve this complex issue. He assured that Italian officials remain in continuous communication with Sala’s family.

The charges against Sala are currently unspecified, leading to speculation that Iranian authorities might be seeking an exchange involving Mohammad Abedini Najafabadi. Abedini, a 38-year-old Swiss-Iranian businessman, was arrested in Milan three days before Sala’s detention, at the behest of the United States. His alleged accomplice, Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi, was apprehended in the US on December 16. Both face US charges related to sanctions-busting activities involving electronic drone parts linked
to a fatal attack near the Jordanian-Syrian border in January.

A Milan appeals court is reviewing a US extradition request for Abedini, who claims to be an academic and denies any terrorist affiliations. The court must also consider a request from Abedini’s lawyer to allow house arrest. Meanwhile, Abedini remains in custody at Milan’s Opera prison.