Iran's Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance said on Monday that Italian journalist Cecilia Sala was arrested in Tehran for violating Iranian laws, without detailing any specific charges.
"Cecilia Sala, an Italian citizen, traveled to Iran on December 13, 2024, with a journalist visa and was arrested on December 19, 2024, on charges of violating the laws of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Her case is currently under investigation," a statement by the ministry said.
It added: "The arrest was carried out in accordance with relevant regulations, and the Italian Embassy in Tehran has been informed. Consular access has been provided to Sala during this period, and she has been in telephone contact with her family."
While emphasizing the country's openness to international journalists, the ministry did not specify the exact charges against Sala.
On Sunday, Washington urged Iran to release Sala, a case likely related to Italy's arrest of an Iranian businessman on terrorism charges at the behest of the United States.
Sala’s detention in Tehran may be linked to the arrest of a Swiss-Iranian businessman at Malpensa Airport three days earlier on a US warrant for allegedly violating sanctions on electronic exports, La Repubblica said citing his lawyer.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on Saturday that Sala is in good health and is being held alone in a cell in Evin Prison. Tajani called for media discretion over the case and confirmed that Sala has spoken to her parents twice by phone. Italian Ambassador to Tehran Paola Amadei has also visited her in prison.
