Italy summons Iranian ambassador, calls for the release of journalist Cecilia Sala

 Italy's foreign ministry issued a statement expressing "serious concern" regarding Sala's detention and emphasized the importance of ensuring humane treatment and upholding her human rights.

Cecilia Sala.

Jan. 3, 2025, 6:10 PM GMT+6 

Italy's Foreign Ministry summoned the Iranian ambassador on Thursday, demanding the immediate release of journalist Cecilia Sala, who was detained in Tehran on December 19 while working with a regular journalistic visa.

In a statement, the ministry expressed its "serious concern" over Sala's detention, emphasizing the need for her humane treatment and respect for her human rights.

The Iranian embassy in Rome responded by stating that Sala was receiving all necessary humanitarian care and, for the first time, linked her case to that of Iranian national Mohammad Abedini, who was arrested in Milan last month at the request of the United States.

Italian media have reported that Sala is being held in solitary confinement in a cold cell with a constant neon light. Her glasses were confiscated, and she has had minimal contact with the outside world.

Riccardo Guariglia, the Secretary-General of the Italian Foreign Ministry, urged Iranian officials to allow embassy staff to visit Sala and provide her with “comfort items” that she had been denied, according to the ministry.

Iran’s official IRNA news agency reported on Monday that Sala was arrested for "violating the laws of the Islamic Republic," but offered no further details.

Sala's arrest came just three days after Iranian businessman Mohammad Abedini was detained at Milan’s Malpensa Airport on a U.S. warrant. He is accused of supplying drone parts used in a 2023 attack that killed three U.S. service members in Jordan.

Iran has denied involvement in the attack and condemned Abedini’s arrest, calling it a violation of international law. Abedini remains in custody, with a court set to decide later this month whether he will be granted house arrest as judges review the U.S. extradition request.

The Iranian embassy claimed that while Sala was receiving the necessary support and access to Italian consular staff, it expected reciprocal treatment for Abedini. This included an expedited release and "welfare assistance" for him.

In recent years, Iran’s security forces have arrested numerous foreign nationals and dual citizens, mostly on charges related to espionage and security. Human rights groups accuse Iran of using such arrests to extract concessions from other nations, a claim Iran denies.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is scheduled to discuss Sala’s case with her foreign and justice ministers later on Thursday.