In a troubling development, Italian journalist Cecilia Sala has been detained in Tehran while conducting reports on the evolving situation in Iran. Sala, who works as a war correspondent for the Il Foglio newspaper and contributes to Chora Media’s podcast, was arrested on December 19 and has since spent a week in solitary confinement.
The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is actively engaged in her case, liaising with Iranian officials to better understand the legal circumstances surrounding her detention. Notably, Sala was in Iran under a standard journalist visa. During her incarceration, she has been permitted to make two calls to her family and was visited by Italy’s ambassador to Iran, Paola Amadei, at Evin prison.
Evin prison, where Sala is currently held, is notorious for housing individuals accused of security-related offenses and has faced significant criticism for its human rights record. The arrest of Sala has provoked a strong reaction from fellow journalists and advocates, who are demanding her immediate release.
Known for her substantial social media presence and appearances on Italian talk shows, Sala has reported on a variety of global conflicts and crises. Both the Italian government and opposition leaders are calling for urgent measures to ensure her safe return to Italy.
While Iranian authorities have not publicly confirmed Sala’s detention, it is not unusual for the government to leverage individuals with Western connections as pawns in broader negotiations. As efforts to secure her release intensify, the situation remains precarious.