Italian Journalist Cecilia Sala Freed After One Month in Iran
Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, who was detained in Iran last month, has been released and is currently flying back to Rome, according to the Italian government.
Italian Journalist Cecilia Sala Freed After One Month in Iran
Italian Journalist Cecilia Sala Freed After One Month in Iran
Rome, January 8, 2025:
Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, who was detained in Iran last month, has been released and is currently flying back to Rome, according to the Italian government.
Sala, 29, was arrested on December 19. Three days earlier, Italian authorities in Milan had detained an Iranian engineer on suspicion of supplying drone technology that led to the deaths of U.S. soldiers.
Reports indicate that Sala was held in solitary confinement in Tehran's notorious Evin prison.
The reasons for her release remain unclear, but officials from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's office said that "intense diplomatic and intelligence channels" were used to secure her release. Meloni expressed gratitude to "everyone who contributed to bringing Cecilia back." She personally informed Sala's family members of her release.
Meloni had met U.S. President-elect Donald Trump last week, and it is believed that the journalist's detention was discussed during their meeting.
Meanwhile, outgoing President Joe Biden is expected to visit Rome later this week.
