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 clarify the legal situation of Sala and to verify the conditions of her detention”.
It added the journalist had been allowed to make two telephone calls to her kin. Italian ambassador Paola Amadei additionally visited Ms Sala in jail on Friday, and international minister Antonio Tajani stated she was “in good health condition”.
Each Il Foglio and Chora stated she was detained in Evin Jail, the place Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori have been detained.
The jail typically 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 not a crime” and referred to as for Ms Sala to be introduced residence.
Chora added in an announcement that Ms Sala had flown to Iran on 12 December “with a valid journalistic visa” and had been scheduled to return on 20 December.
“The independent voice of Cecilia has been silenced,” the media firm added. “Italy and Europe cannot tolerate this arbitrary arrest. Cecilia Sala must be immediately released.”
As of writing, Iran has not acknowledged detaining Ms Sala. Nonetheless, it could take weeks earlier than authorities announce such arrests.
