Politics Imprisoned journalist: Italy summons Iranian ambassador
In protest against the imprisonment of an Italian journalist in Iran, Italy's government has summoned the Iranian ambassador to Rome.
02.01.2025, 16:52
SDA
During the meeting, the immediate release of Cecilia Sala was demanded, according to a statement from the ministry. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani had previously demanded that all of the Italian woman's rights be respected.
Sala was arrested and detained in Tehran on December 19. Since then, she has been held in strict solitary confinement in the notorious Evin prison in the Iranian capital. The Iranian judiciary accuses Sala of violating the Islamic Republic's media laws. Sala works for the daily newspaper "Il Foglio" and also runs a well-known podcast.
Reports of poor prison conditions
Meanwhile, Italian media reported on the poor conditions of detention in the prison in Tehran. In a conversation with relatives, the 29-year-old complained that she had to sleep on the floor without a mattress and with the lights on all the time, as the newspaper "Corriere della Sera" reported. Her glasses were also taken away from her.
In the meantime, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, has also intervened. In an interview with the Italian newspaper "La Repubblica", she also called for Sala's immediate release. "No one should be imprisoned for their work. Journalism is not a crime," said Kallas.
According to media reports, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will meet with some of her cabinet ministers this afternoon at short notice to discuss further steps in the matter.
