Detained in Iran: Italian Journalist Cecilia Sala

Iranian officials have not given an explanation for the detention of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, which began on December 19.

According to Italy’s foreign ministry, journalist Cecilia Sala has been detained in Iran for more than a week. 

On December 19, Tehran police arrested Sala, a podcast producer for Chora Media and a reporter for the Il Foglio newspaper. 

Rome’s ambassador to Tehran, Paola Amadei, paid Sala a visit in Evin Prison, where she is allegedly being held in solitary confinement, according to confirmation from the foreign ministry. Iranian officials have not given an explanation for Sala’s incarceration, despite allowing her to make two phone calls to her relatives. 

Sala entered Iran on December 12 with a valid journalist’s visa, according to Chora Media. She created episodes of her podcast, *Stories*, and conducted interviews while she was there. After a few text exchanges, communication with her ended the day before her anticipated departure to Rome on December 20. 

*Il Foglio* demanded in a statement that Sala be freed immediately and emphasized that “journalism is not a crime.” The magazine emphasized her commitment to covering Iran, a nation she “knows and loves,” in spite of its journalistic restrictions. 

According to Italy’s foreign ministry, it is collaborating with Iranian officials to elucidate Sala’s legal status. Concerned over her imprisonment, the ministry stated, “We are following the case with utmost attention.” 

Iran and Italy have strained diplomatic ties at the time of the detention. According to current Iranian media, Tehran summoned a top Italian diplomat and the Swiss ambassador in response to the detention of two Iranian individuals overseas. 

Iran’s human rights record is still being scrutinized in the wake of the Mahsa Amini death-triggered “Woman, Life, Freedom” rallies in 2022. Tens of thousands of arrests and widespread outrage resulted from the 22-year-old’s death in police custody after he was detained for allegedly breaking the nation’s required hijab rules. 

International outrage over Sala’s arrest has led to a rise in demands for openness and respect for press freedom.