Iran Detains Italian Journalist For Alleged Violation Of Islamic Law
Iranian authorities have arrested Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, accusing her of breaching Islamic law during her visit to the country, according to state media reports on Monday.
Sala, 29, entered Iran on December 13, 2024, on a journalist visa and was detained on December 19, the official IRNA news agency reported, citing a statement from the Iranian Ministry of Culture. While the exact nature of the alleged violation remains undisclosed, the ministry stated the case is under investigation.
The arrest has drawn swift condemnation from Italy, with officials labeling it “unacceptable.” Sala, who works for Italian podcast publisher Chora Media, was scheduled to return on December 20. She is currently being held at Tehran’s Evin prison, known for housing political prisoners and foreign nationals.
Italy’s ambassador to Tehran, Paola Amadei, has visited Sala, and Iranian authorities confirmed she has received consular assistance and spoken to her family by phone. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani acknowledged the complexities of securing her release, while Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s office stated it is closely monitoring the situation.
Sala’s arrest follows her recent reporting, including a podcast on “A Conversation on Patriarchy in Tehran,” and her coverage of the Ukraine war involving Iran’s ally, Russia. The incident coincides with heightened tensions between Iran, Italy, and the United States.
Just days earlier, two Iranian nationals, Mahdi Mohammad Sadeghi and Mohammad Abedininajafabadi, were arrested by U.S. and Italian authorities for allegedly conspiring to export advanced electronics to Iran. These components were reportedly linked to a January drone strike that killed three U.S. servicemen in Jordan. One suspect was detained in Italy at Washington’s request. Iran denies involvement in the attack and has protested the arrests through diplomatic channels.
Sala’s detention is the latest in a series of arrests of Europeans in Iran. In recent years, Tehran has been accused of using foreign detainees as leverage in negotiations with Western governments.
French nationals Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris have been imprisoned since May 2022 on espionage charges, which carry the death penalty. In June, Iran released two Swedes, including an EU diplomat, in a deal mediated by Oman. Similarly, in 2023, Belgium secured the release of aid worker Olivier Vandecasteele through an Omani-brokered exchange.
The ongoing detention of Europeans in Iran underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics and the recurring use of prisoner swaps in resolving such cases. Observers expect Sala’s case to become part of broader diplomatic negotiations between Iran and Italy.
