Italy has successfully secured the release of journalist Cecilia Sala, who was detained while filming a report in Tehran, Iran’s capital.
On January 8, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced the news, writing briefly: “Diplomacy and teamwork: Cecilia Sala is returning home.” Shortly after, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni provided more details, stating that the plane carrying the journalist home “is already in the air.”
“Thanks to intensive work through diplomatic and intelligence channels, the Iranian authorities have released our compatriot, and she is returning to Italy. I personally informed the journalist’s parents during a phone call. Thank you to everyone who made this possible,” Meloni wrote.
Cecilia Sala was detained in Tehran in mid-December while working on a report. In response, Italy summoned the Iranian ambassador.
Meanwhile, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged its citizens to refrain from traveling to Iran, noting that Paris has yet to secure the release of three French nationals still detained there.
