The Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, who was imprisoned in Iran since December 19, accused of “violating the laws of the Islamic Republic”, was released this morning. “A few minutes ago the plane taking the journalist home took off from Tehran,” the Government of Giorgia Meloni announced in a statement shortly before noon. The prime minister personally informed the reporter’s parents of the release with a call. “Meloni thanks everyone who has contributed to making Cecilia’s return possible, allowing her to hug her family and colleagues again,” the statement reads. Meloni has also highlighted “the intense work” of diplomatic channels and Italian intelligence.
The journalist is expected to arrive in Italy around 3:30 p.m. and land at the Roman Ciampino airport. The Italian media, such as the newspaper The Republicpoint out that between Tuesday and Wednesday morning there was an acceleration of negotiations between Italy and Iran, also with the collaboration of the United States. Meloni traveled to the United States last Sunday to meet with the next president Donald Trump at his Florida mansion. Although the trip was kept secret and the content of the conversations between the two has not been officially revealed, the media indicate that, among others, the issue of Sala’s release was discussed.
The Italian journalist, who was in Iran for work, with a regular visa, was detained just a couple of days after Italian law enforcement, at the request of the United States, detained a Swiss engineer at a Milan airport. Iranian, Mohammad Abedini Najafabadi. Abedini is accused by the United States of providing parts for the manufacture of drones that were used in a 2023 attack that killed three American soldiers in Jordan. Abedini’s current situation is unknown at the moment.
Iran was demanding Abedini’s release and had suggested that Sala’s prison conditions in Iran would be equivalent to those the Iranian had in Italy. This Tuesday, Cecilia Sala called home and explained that her detention conditions had improved: they had given her a bed, because until then she had been sleeping on the floor, on a blanket, and the two packages delivered by the Italian embassy in the city had arrived. prison a week before.
Renato Sala, father of the newspaper journalist Il Foglioand Chora media, has told the media that he is “very proud of his daughter.” “I have only cried three times in my life. I believe that the Government of our country has done an exceptional job. My voice was broken, I couldn’t see the horizon. It has been an extraordinary job of coordination. “I have always trusted Cecilia’s strength,” he said.
Sala’s partner, journalist Daniele Raineri, has explained that he has spoken with her on the phone and that she is “very happy.” “See you in a while,” he told her. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, also commented on the news on his social networks: “Diplomacy and teamwork: Cecilia Sala returns home!”
