Italian Journalist freed after three weeks in Iranian prison

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Iran has released journalist Cecilia Sala after three weeks in jail, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s office says.

Italian journalist Cecilia Sala has been released from Iran’s Evin prison after over three weeks in detention, according to a statement from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s office on Wednesday. Sala, a reporter for Il Foglio, was arrested on December 19 while on a journalistic visa in Tehran.

Prime Minister Meloni expressed gratitude for the diplomatic and intelligence efforts that led to Sala’s release. “I want to thank all those who made Cecilia’s return possible, allowing her to embrace her family and colleagues again,” she posted on X. Meloni personally informed Sala’s parents of her release.

Sala’s detention sparked widespread attention in Italy, dominating headlines and prompting cheers upon the announcement of her freedom. Lawmakers and commentators hailed the move as a political win for Meloni’s government.

Speculation and denials

Sala was arrested three days after Iranian businessman Mohammad Abedini was detained at Milan’s Malpensa airport on a US warrant. The US Justice Department accuses Abedini of supplying drone technology used in a January 2024 attack on a US outpost in Jordan, which killed three American soldiers.

This timeline fueled speculation that Sala’s detention was a bargaining tactic by Tehran. Iran has been accused in the past of using prisoners with Western ties as leverage. However, Iranian authorities have denied any connection between Sala’s arrest and the Abedini case.

Italy has not commented on whether Sala’s release was tied to the businessman’s ongoing detention in Italy. Meloni’s statement focused on the “intense work on diplomatic and intelligence channels” that secured Sala’s freedom, avoiding mention of Abedini.

International Context

Sala’s release comes amidst heightened scrutiny of Iran’s treatment of foreign prisoners. In recent years, Iran has faced accusations of detaining Western nationals as political bargaining tools. Notably, in September 2023, five Americans were freed in exchange for five Iranians and $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets.

While details remain scarce, unverified reports suggest U.S. President-elect Donald Trump may have played a role in brokering Sala’s release during recent talks with Meloni. Italian media speculated that Trump approved the move, provided it occurred before his January 20 inauguration.