Cecilia Sala, an Italian journalist detained in Iran's notorious Evin prison last month, has been released and is returning to Italy. The 29-year-old reporter's release followed weeks of diplomatic efforts by the Italian government and intelligence channels, officials said Wednesday.
Sala, a reporter for the Italian daily Il Foglio and contributor to the podcast company Chora Media, was arrested in Tehran in mid-December while covering events in the country. Her detention, shrouded in secrecy at the request of Italian authorities and her family, was only made public weeks later when negotiations for her release intensified.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni confirmed Sala's release, stating, "The plane that is bringing journalist Cecilia Sala home took off a few minutes ago from Tehran." Meloni expressed gratitude to those involved in securing Sala's freedom. Italian President Sergio Mattarella personally informed Sala's parents of the good news during a phone call.
Sala had traveled to Iran on December 12 on an ordinary journalist visa. She conducted interviews and produced podcast episodes during her assignment before being detained by Iranian authorities. Iran's state news agency IRNA cited the Ministry of Culture in claiming that Sala had "violated the laws of the Islamic Republic of Iran," though Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani remarked days after her arrest that "we still don't know the charges."
Conditions during Sala's imprisonment were reportedly harsh. In phone calls to her family, Sala described sleeping on the floor without a mattress under constant light. Her partner, journalist Daniele Ranieri, shared his relief after her release, saying, "She was excited and very happy. I told her: 'See you in Rome.'" Sala was expected to arrive at Rome's Ciampino Airport by mid-afternoon Wednesday.
The timing of Sala's arrest has drawn scrutiny. Just three days prior, Iranian businessman Mohammad Abedini was detained in Italy on charges related to the supply of drone components used in a deadly attack in Jordan earlier in 2024 that killed three U.S. service members. The Iranian government has denounced Abedini's arrest as "hostage-taking." While Sala's release has been celebrated, Abedini remains in custody in a Milan prison.
Iran's treatment of journalists has been widely criticized by international watchdogs. The country is ranked among the worst in the world for press freedom, with only North Korea, Afghanistan, Syria, and Eritrea performing worse, according to Reporters Without Borders. The crackdown on media intensified following nationwide protests in 2022, with numerous foreign nationals arrested on charges often dismissed as baseless by rights groups.
Chora Media, where Sala contributes to the Stories podcast, stated that she had departed for Iran with "a valid journalistic visa and the protections of a journalist on assignment." The media outlet initially withheld news of her arrest to avoid jeopardizing negotiations for her release.
Sala's detention is part of a broader pattern in Iran, where foreign nationals are frequently arrested on dubious charges. Rights organizations argue that such arrests are tactics to gain leverage in international disputes.
