Cecilia Sala, arrest confirmed. Possible connection with the arrest in Italy of an Iranian citizen accused of terrorism by the USA.
Iranian authorities have confirmed the arrest of journalist Cecilia Sala on charges of “violating the laws of the Islamic Republic,” state media reported following her arrest on December 19.
The Iranian Ministry of Culture and Islamic Orientation issued a statement saying that “the Italian citizen arrived in Iran on December 13 with a journalist visa and was arrested on the 19th for violating the law of the Islamic Republic of Iran.” The statement reads that “Her case is under investigation. The arrest was carried out in accordance with current legislation (…) She was granted consular access and telephone contact with her family.”
The arrest of the Italian journalist could be linked to another arrest in Milan. At the request of the United States, the Iranian businessman Mohammad Abedini Najafabadi was arrested on charges of having passed sensitive information on drones destined for terrorist groups whose aim is to hit Western citizens.
The suspicion is that the Iranian authorities may be unjustly detaining Cecilia Sala to use her as political leverage to obtain the release of the Iranian businessman, for whom the US has asked Italy to extradite him.
Marcus Barbatus
Article published on 31 December 2024 - 09:49
The arrest of Cecilia Sala is a complex situation, there are many questions about what is happening. It is worrying that a journalist can be arrested for the laws in another country, but the laws must be respected.