Italian Journalist Cecilia Sala Arrested in Iran, Held in Solitary Confinement

Cecilia Sala, a 29-year-old Italian journalist, was arrested in Tehran on December 19. The news of her detention was made public on December 27. The reasons for her arrest have not been disclosed.

According to The New York Times, citing Italian officials, Sala is currently held at the infamous Evin prison, known for housing political prisoners and dissidents. Il Post, an Italian news website reported that Ms. Sala was held in solitary confinement in Evin.

She had been reporting from Iran since December 13, covering the country’s political and social changes over the past year, particularly following the election of President Masoud Pezeshkian in July.

Sala, a correspondent for the Italian daily Il Foglio, has also worked as a writer and podcast host. Her recent reports highlighted the growing resistance of Iranian women against mandatory hijab laws, as well as ongoing anti-government protests. Additionally, Sala addressed issues such as inflation and Iran’s waning influence in the region due to the weakening of its allies, particularly the Assad regime in Syria.

On December 20, Sala, who was scheduled to return to Italy, failed to show up at Tehran’s airport. Her family and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs were informed about her disappearance soon after. The Ministry confirmed that she has been held in solitary confinement in Evin.

The Italian Foreign Ministry has been engaged in discussions with Iranian authorities to secure her release. Italy’s Ambassador to Iran, Paola Amadei, visited Sala in prison to assess her conditions. Since her arrest, Sala has been allowed two brief phone calls with her family.

Sala had entered Iran on December 12 with a valid journalist visa and official guarantees for foreign reporters. During her stay, she conducted interviews and produced several episodes for her podcast. One of her latest episodes featured Iranian comedian Zeynab Musavi, who had previously been jailed for criticizing the mandatory hijab law.

Iran has a history of detaining journalists, especially those covering protests such as those following the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022. Additionally, Iranian authorities frequently arrest foreign nationals and individuals with dual citizenship, a practice rights organizations describe as leverage for political purposes, including prisoner exchanges.

The Italian government has assured that it is taking all necessary steps to address the situation and clarify the legal aspects of the case, emphasizing the need for careful diplomacy in handling this matter.

Cecilia Sala has extensively covered events in Ukraine, particularly the war and its impact on the lives of Ukrainians. She was among the first Italian reporters to arrive in Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Her reports have focused on the lives of civilians during the war, sharing their testimonies and stories of survival.

Sala’s approach to journalism stands out for its immediacy and intimacy; she often recorded her materials using just a smartphone. Her daily podcasts, dedicated to life “under the bombs,” introduced a new dimension to field reporting, fostering a personal and emotional connection with her audience.

While in Ukraine, Sala conducted interviews with local residents, documented the destruction, and captured testimonies that painted a vivid picture of the war’s harsh realities. Her podcasts and articles garnered international attention, highlighting the humanitarian impact of the Russia’s war against Ukraine.