Cecilia Sala, an Italian journalist who was detained last month in Iran while on a reporting trip, was released and returned to Italy on Wednesday, the Italian government said in a statement.
“The plane that brings the journalist Cecilia Sala home left a few minutes ago from Tehran”, the Italian government announced on Wednesday morning, adding that “thanks to the intensive work on diplomatic and intelligence channels, our compatriot was released by the Iranian authorities.”
Iranian officials did not comment on the announcement from Italy.
Ms. Sala, 29, had been detained for 20 days and told her family she was being held in an isolation cell, with only two blankets and constant light, according to a person close to her family.
Ms. Sala, who had a journalist’s visa, was arrested on Dec. 19 on charges of violating the laws of the Islamic Republic of Iran, but officials did not provide further details.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called Ms Sala’s parents on Wednesday to tell them she was back, according to the government statement.
This is a developing story.
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2025-01-08 11:46:00
