Italy says working to free journalist underneath arrest in Iran for over per week – INA NEWS

An Italian journalist has been arrested by police in Iran, in line with Italy’s overseas ministry, and the federal government is making efforts to carry her residence.

Cecilia Sala, 29, was arrested by police in Tehran on December 19, officers stated, however her arrest was solely made public on Friday. She works for newspaper Il Foglio and for podcast firm Chora Media.

The Italian Ministry of Overseas Affairs and Worldwide Cooperation stated in an announcement that it was “working with the Iranian authorities to make clear Cecilia Sala’s authorized state of affairs and to confirm the circumstances of her detention”.

“The Italian Embassy and Consulate in Tehran have been following the case with the utmost consideration for the reason that very starting,” the ministry added.

Defence Minister Guido Crosetto – a key determine in Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s authorities – stated on the social media platform X that the arrest was “unacceptable”.

“Italy is working tirelessly to free her, pursuing each possibility,” he stated.

There was no fast affirmation of the arrest by Iranian officers.

#FreeCecilia pic.twitter.com/idnzNW3oAJ

— Chora Media (@Chora_Media) December 27, 2024

Sala was capable of make two cellphone calls since she was arrested and held within the Evin jail in Tehran, the Italian Overseas Ministry stated.

Chora Media stated in a separate assertion that Sala was being held in solitary confinement at Evin, and that no cause had been given for her arrest.

“Her free voice has been silenced, and neither Italy nor Europe can tolerate this arbitrary arrest. Cecilia Sala have to be freed instantly,” Chora stated.

In response to Chora, Sala had left Rome for Iran on December 12 with a legitimate journalist visa and “the safety of a journalist on task”. Sala had performed a number of interviews and produced three episodes of her, Tales, podcast, it added. She had been as a result of fly again to Rome on December 20.

It was not clear whether or not Sala’s case is perhaps linked to tensions between Rome and Tehran after Iran final week summoned a senior Italian diplomat and the Swiss ambassador, who represents US pursuits within the nation, over the arrest of two Iranian nationals. One of many males was arrested in Italy at Washington’s request.

Italy’s ambassador to Iran visited Sala in jail on Friday and the journalist has additionally been in cellphone contact along with her household, the Italian Overseas Ministry stated.

Italian sources with data of the matter stated she was “very drained” however “bodily high-quality”, the Reuters information company reported.

Chora stated information of Sala’s arrest was not instantly made public as her household and Italian authorities had hoped that protecting it quiet may assist safe her swift launch.

Elly Schlein, chief of the centre-left opposition Democratic Celebration, urged the federal government to behave swiftly.

“We instantly name on the federal government to take each helpful initiative to make clear this matter, to make clear the explanations for this detention and, above all, to carry Cecilia Sala again to Italy as quickly as potential,” she stated.