Brussels/Rome (ANSA) – EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas has urged for the “immediate release of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, who was detained in Iran.” She emphasized, “No one should be imprisoned for performing their duties; journalism is not a crime.” Kallas further stated that “Every journalist must have the freedom to report without the fear of arrest or persecution,” highlighting the increasing importance of journalism amid ongoing global crises.
Cecilia Sala was apprehended by Tehran police on December 19 while conducting journalistic activities in Iran. The Foreign Media department of Iran’s Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance stated that her arrest was due to “violating the laws of the Islamic Republic of Iran.” This vague reasoning supports suspicions that the Iranian regime may be using Sala as leverage to secure the release of Mohammad Abedini Najafabadi, a drone expert arrested in Malpensa on December 16, who is facing an extradition request from the United States.
Both Washington and Tehran are involved in the negotiations concerning this matter, which the Italian government has acknowledged to be sensitive and complicated (January 2).













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