Iran Releases Italian Journalist Accused of Violating Islamic Laws

On 8 January, Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, who had spent three weeks in detention in Iran, was released and returned home. The 29-year-old Sala, a representative of the Il Foglio newspaper, flew to Rome, where she was met by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, family members and friends at Ciampino airport.

According to AP, Cecilia was detained in Tehran on 19 December, a week after she arrived in Iran on a journalist visa. She was accused of violating the laws of the Islamic Republic, and Italian media suggest that the detention was related to the arrest of Iranian engineer Mohammad Abedini in Italy, who is wanted by the United States on suspicion of supplying technology for drones used in the attack on an American facility in Jordan.

The release was made possible through the efforts of Italian diplomacy, as well as the personal intervention of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who paid a visit to US President Donald Trump before the release. This significantly strengthened Italy's international position in negotiations with Tehran.

‘This is the result of the hard work of diplomats and intelligence. I am grateful to all those who helped bring Cecilia home,’ Meloni said upon her return.

Politicians from all political camps in Italy welcomed the journalist's release, and the human rights organisation Reporters Without Borders expressed hope that the case would draw attention to the 25 other journalists who remain in Iranian prisons.

According to AP, Iran often uses Western prisoners as a tool of pressure in international negotiations. For example, in September 2023, Iran exchanged five Americans for five Iranians and gained access to its assets frozen in South Korea.