An Italian journalist has been detained by Iranian police whereas reporting in Tehran, Italy’s international ministry has stated.
Cecilia Sala, 29, who works for Italian shops Il Foglio and Chora Media, was reporting in Tehran on 19 December when she was arrested, it stated.
Italy‘s international ministry added it was working with Iranian officers “to make clear the authorized scenario of Sala and to confirm the circumstances of her detention”.
It added the journalist had been allowed to make two telephone calls to her relations. Italian ambassador Paola Amadei additionally visited Ms Sala in jail on Friday, and international minister Antonio Tajani stated she was “in good well being situation”.
Each Il Foglio and Chora stated she was detained in Evin Jail, the place Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori had been detained.
The jail usually detains individuals with twin nationality, and human rights teams have alleged prisoners have been repeatedly abused within the jail.
Il Foglio editor Claudio Cerasa wrote on Friday that “journalism is just not a criminal offense” and known as for Ms Sala to be introduced house.
Chora added in an announcement that Ms Sala had flown to Iran on 12 December “with a sound journalistic visa” and had been scheduled to return on 20 December.
“The unbiased voice of Cecilia has been silenced,” the media firm added. “Italy and Europe can not tolerate this arbitrary arrest. Cecilia Sala have to be instantly launched.”
Each shops stated that they had come ahead with the information per week later after being requested to stay silent by Italian authorities and Ms Sala’s dad and mom.
As of writing, Iran has not acknowledged detaining Ms Sala. Nonetheless, it may possibly take weeks earlier than authorities announce such arrests.
