The journalist was arrested on 19th of December in Tehran for violating the laws of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, best known for her work as a war correspondent, was arrested in Tehran, Iran on December 19. While the circumstances of the arrest are unclear, it has been confirmed by the Iranian Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance that Ms. Sala travelled on a journalist’s Visa on December 13. She was arrested on December 19. She was supposed to fly home from the reporting trip the following day.
In a press release published by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on December 27, the Italian government reassured that the Foreign Ministry has been working with the Iranian authorities to clarify the legal situation of Ms Sala and her conditions.
The same day, the Ambassador of Italy Paola Amadei carried out a consular visit to verify the conditions and state of detention.
An article published on December 30 by IRNA, the state news agency, announced the reasons for the arrest: a violation of the laws of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
In the same statement, it is noted that Ms Sala’s case is under investigation and that her arrest was conducted in accordance with relevant regulations. It has not yet been clarified which laws Ms Sala has violated. They noted that the Italian embassy in Tehran has been informed and that Ms Sala has been granted consular access and contact with her family by phone.
Italian news had discussed a possible link between the arrest of Ms Sala with that of Mohammad Abedini, and the possibility that Ms Sala was being used as political leverage. However, they were unable to confirm it. Mr. Abedini is an Iranian national arrested in Milan on charges of supplying electronic parts for drones to the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps. This resulted in the death of three American soldiers. His arrest in Milan was in fact requested by the United States, which is currently seeking Mr Abedini’s extradition from Italy.
On 2 January 2025, the Iran-Rome Embassy posted on X (former Twitter) that Mohammad Reza Sabouri, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Rome met with Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy, Riccardo Guariglia. The meeting, although “friendly”, involved a clarification from Mr Sabouri: Ms Sala’s conditions are good, and she has been provided with all the necessary services. It is expected that the Italian government will reciprocally meet Mr Abedini’s needs, in addition to accelerating his release. This message confirmed to the Italian press that there might indeed be a connection between the two arrests.
Ms Sala is a 29-year old journalist and podcaster. She works for the newspaper Il Foglio and hosts the podcast Stories. She specialized in political and war journalism and is a war correspondent. She has been to Venezuela, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Palestine and Iran. In her last published podcast episode (dated 18th December, the day before the arrest), she tells the story of Zeinab Musavi. Musavi is a female comedian, popular online, who was arrested in 2022 for one of her skits.
Ms Sala is currently detained in Evin prison, Tehran.
Italian journalist Cecilia Sala detained in Iran while on a journalistic trip
The journalist was arrested on 19th of December in Tehran for violating the laws of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, best known for her work as a war correspondent, was arrested in Tehran, Iran on December 19. While the circumstances of the arrest are unclear, it has been confirmed by the Iranian Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance that Ms. Sala travelled on a journalist’s Visa on December 13. She was arrested on December 19. She was supposed to fly home from the reporting trip the following day.
In a press release published by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on December 27, the Italian government reassured that the Foreign Ministry has been working with the Iranian authorities to clarify the legal situation of Ms Sala and her conditions.
The same day, the Ambassador of Italy Paola Amadei carried out a consular visit to verify the conditions and state of detention.
An article published on December 30 by IRNA, the state news agency, announced the reasons for the arrest: a violation of the laws of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
In the same statement, it is noted that Ms Sala’s case is under investigation and that her arrest was conducted in accordance with relevant regulations. It has not yet been clarified which laws Ms Sala has violated. They noted that the Italian embassy in Tehran has been informed and that Ms Sala has been granted consular access and contact with her family by phone.
Italian news had discussed a possible link between the arrest of Ms Sala with that of Mohammad Abedini, and the possibility that Ms Sala was being used as political leverage. However, they were unable to confirm it. Mr. Abedini is an Iranian national arrested in Milan on charges of supplying electronic parts for drones to the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps. This resulted in the death of three American soldiers. His arrest in Milan was in fact requested by the United States, which is currently seeking Mr Abedini’s extradition from Italy.
On 2 January 2025, the Iran-Rome Embassy posted on X (former Twitter) that Mohammad Reza Sabouri, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Rome met with Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy, Riccardo Guariglia. The meeting, although “friendly”, involved a clarification from Mr Sabouri: Ms Sala’s conditions are good, and she has been provided with all the necessary services. It is expected that the Italian government will reciprocally meet Mr Abedini’s needs, in addition to accelerating his release. This message confirmed to the Italian press that there might indeed be a connection between the two arrests.
Ms Sala is a 29-year old journalist and podcaster. She works for the newspaper Il Foglio and hosts the podcast Stories. She specialized in political and war journalism and is a war correspondent. She has been to Venezuela, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Palestine and Iran. In her last published podcast episode (dated 18th December, the day before the arrest), she tells the story of Zeinab Musavi. Musavi is a female comedian, popular online, who was arrested in 2022 for one of her skits.
Ms Sala is currently detained in Evin prison, Tehran.
Author
Gigs Worth Going To In Your First Week At Uni
A Freshers’ Guide to Theatre at Glasgow
Your Guide To Glasgow’s Hidden Art Highlights