Cecilia Sala, a 29-year-old journalist for Il Foglio and Chora News, was arrested in Tehran on December 19 while on assignment in Iran. The Italian Foreign Ministry confirmed that Sala, who arrived in the country on December 12, was detained under unclear charges just days before her scheduled return to Italy. According to Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani, the Italian embassy in Tehran is closely monitoring the situation and has ensured that Sala has been able to communicate with her family. Tajani stated that the government is committed to resolving the situation with utmost discretion.
International reactions have followed swiftly, with the U.S. State Department expressing awareness of Sala’s arrest and calling for the immediate release of unjustly detained individuals in Iran. The European Commission is also closely following the developments, emphasizing the sensitivity of the case due to its implications for diplomatic relations with Tehran. Meanwhile, there has been a notable bipartisan call for action within the Italian political landscape, with various leaders expressing solidarity and urging the government to take all possible steps for Sala’s swift release.
Chora Media CEO Mario Calabresi recounted the distressing timeline leading to Sala’s arrest, highlighting her compliance with Iranian regulations during her reporting trip. After failing to receive her usual updates, concerns escalated until Sala contacted her mother to inform her of the arrest. The Italian government, alongside advocacy from the media and political spheres, is now engaged in high-level diplomatic discussions aimed at securing her freedom.
