The case of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, detained in Iran, is “complicated,” but Italy is working to secure her release as quickly as possible, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Saturday.
Sala, 29, a journalist for the Italian newspaper *Il Foglio* and the podcast company Chora Media, was arrested in Tehran on December 19. Her detention was only made public on Friday.
“We’re trying to solve an issue that’s complicated,” Tajani told the ANSA news agency. He expressed hope for a quick resolution but acknowledged, “It doesn’t depend on us.”
Sala is reportedly being held in a single cell in Tehran’s Evin prison under conditions that Tajani described as respectful of her personal dignity. “So far, we haven’t had negative feedback,” he said, adding that Italy is monitoring her treatment closely.
The reason for Sala’s detention remains unclear. Tajani noted that her lawyer is expected to visit her soon to gather more information. Iranian authorities have not officially confirmed her arrest.
The detention comes amid heightened tensions following the arrest of an Iranian national in Italy earlier this month at the request of the United States. Tajani declined to speculate on whether the two cases might be connected.
Sala traveled to Iran on December 12 with a valid journalist visa and was scheduled to return to Rome on December 20, according to her employer, Chora Media.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she is following Sala’s case closely, aiming to ensure her swift return. She called on media outlets to approach the situation with “necessary caution.”
