An Italian journalist detained in Iran last month has been released and is currently en route to Rome, according to the Italian government.
Cecilia Sala was arrested on 19 December, just days after an Iranian engineer was apprehended by Italian authorities in Milan on suspicion of providing drone technology linked to the deaths of US soldiers.
Reports indicate that Sala had been held in solitary confinement at Tehran’s infamous Evin prison. The circumstances surrounding her release remain unclear, though officials from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s office attributed it to intense diplomatic and intelligence efforts. In an official statement, Meloni expressed gratitude to “all those who contributed to making Cecilia’s return possible” and noted that she had personally informed Sala’s parents of the development.
According to the Ansa news agency, Sala’s flight had departed Tehran and was expected to land in Rome at 15:30 local time (14:30 GMT) on Wednesday.
Sala’s detention had sparked outrage in Italy and dominated the news since her employer, Chora Media, revealed her arrest on 27 December. It is believed that Meloni took personal charge of the case and discussed it with US President-elect Donald Trump during a meeting over the weekend. Outgoing President Joe Biden is expected to visit Rome later this week.
Initially, Iran stated that Sala had been arrested for “violation of the Islamic Republic’s laws.” However, US State Department officials suggested that her detention could be related to the arrest of Mohammad Abedini, an Iranian national detained at Milan’s Malpensa Airport on 16 December under a US warrant. One official indicated that Sala’s arrest might have been a case of “political leverage.”
Abedini is due to face court in Milan on 15 January, although Iranian officials have recently attempted to downplay any link between the two cases.
Giovanni Caravelli, the head of Italy’s foreign intelligence service, is said to have personally travelled to Tehran to facilitate Sala’s return
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