Tehran (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Iran confirmed the arrest of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala for “violating the law,” drawing criticism from Italy.
Iran confirmed the arrest of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala for “violating the law”, state media reported, an action criticised by Italy as “unacceptable”. “Cecilia Sala, an Italian national, journeyed to Iran on December 13, 2024, with a journalist’s visa and was apprehended on December 19, 2024, for disobeying the law of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the official IRNA news agency stated, quoting a remark by the culture ministry.
“Her case is currently under inquiry,”
said the ministry. Iran’s culture ministry ratified that Sala had been authorised consular service and that she “has been in touch with her family by phone”.
How has Italy reacted to Cecilia Sala’s detention?
Italy criticised Sala’s arrest as “unacceptable”, and expressed she has been captive in Tehran’s Evin prison. Italy’s ambassador to Iran, Paola Amadei, has visited her. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated that measures to release Sala were “complicated” but confirmed that she is in good health and has been allowed consular access, including phone calls with her family. Sala is reported to be held in Evin Prison, which houses political prisoners and dissidents.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s office has stated she is “following the complex affair” closely.
How has Iran’s attitude towards journalists affected international perception?
International attention focused on the arrest of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala who was detained on December 19, 2024, while reporting in Tehran and being held in Evin Prison. Reports by the International Federation of Journalists and other such organizations have mentioned that Iran has imprisoned at least 100 journalists until December 2024. Many of these arrests were made with a sharp rise after the protests broke out following the death of Mahsa Amini in September 2022. The press is under tremendous repression, and many journalists are either serving long sentences or exiled after their reporting and coverage.
