Italian Journalist Cecilia Sala Freed from Detention in Iran

ITItaly|

Cecilia Sala, a 29-year-old Italian journalist detained in solitary confinement in Iran, has been released and is returning to Italy. Her flight departed from Tehran following intensive diplomatic efforts, as stated by the office of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Sala was arrested on December 19, just three days after entering Iran on a journalist visa, facing charges of breaching Islamic law.

Her arrest drew international attention and was reportedly connected to the case of Mohammad Abedini Najafabadi, an Iranian engineer detained in Milan on a US warrant for supplying drone components to Iran. While Iranian officials denied any linkage between the two cases, Sala's release coincided with heightened discussions about her situation during Meloni's recent visit to the United States.

Sala described the harsh conditions of her imprisonment in Evin prison, where she was held alongside numerous political prisoners and activists. Reports from fellow prisoners, such as 2023 Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi, highlighted the severe treatment faced by detainees, including isolation and lack of basic necessities.

Following her release, Sala's family expressed relief and pride, emphasizing the effective diplomatic efforts of the Italian government. She is expected to land at Rome's Ciampino airport at 3:30 PM local time.

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