Italian Journalist Cecilia Sala Detained in Tehran

Cecilia Sala Detained by Iranian Authorities in Tehran

Italian journalist Cecilia Sala was detained in Tehran while on assignment, as confirmed by the Italian Foreign Ministry on Friday. Sala, a writer for Il Foglio and host of Stories by Chora Media, was arrested last Thursday and is currently being held at Evin Prison, known for housing political detainees.

The Italian embassy and consulate in Tehran are actively involved in the case, with Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani overseeing efforts to ensure Sala’s safety and clarify her legal status. Italian Ambassador Paola Amadei visited Sala to check on her condition and provide updates to her family. Sala has reportedly had two phone calls with relatives since her arrest.

In a statement released by Chora Media, it was revealed that Sala has been in solitary confinement for over a week. The organization stated that the reason for her arrest remains unclear and that they had initially withheld the news at the request of Italian authorities and Sala’s family to help secure her swift release.

Sala, who traveled to Iran on 12 December with a valid journalistic visa and official guarantees, had been working on multiple interviews and podcast episodes, including a conversation with Iranian comedian Zeinab Musavi, who has publicly criticized the mandatory hijab. Sala was expected to return to Rome last Friday, but she stopped responding to messages on 19 December.

The Italian government continues to press Iranian officials for information regarding Sala’s detention and is calling for her immediate release. This case highlights the challenges and dangers faced by journalists in countries with repressive regimes.