Cecilia Sala, an Italian journalist who had been detained in Iran since December 19, has been released and is currently on a flight back to her home country, according to the Italian government. Her arrest came just days after Iranian engineer Mohammad Abedini was taken into custody in Milan on suspicion of supplying drone technology, which purportedly caused casualties among US soldiers. Reports indicate that Sala spent time in solitary confinement at Tehran's infamous Evin prison. The circumstances surrounding her release remain murky; however, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's administration credited "intense work through diplomatic and intelligence channels" for the outcome. Meloni expressed gratitude to everyone involved in securing Sala's release, personally relaying the news to her family. Her return flight was confirmed by news agency Ansa, with expected arrival in Rome at 15:30 local time. Sala's partner, fellow journalist Daniele Raineri, shared her emotional response, indicating that she had communicated her joy during their conversation. The shock of Sala’s detention had caused public outrage in Italy, with media outlets extensively covering the incident since Chora Media announced her arrest on December 27. Reports suggest that Meloni took a personal interest in the case, even discussing it with US president-elect Donald Trump over the weekend. The Iranian government framed her arrest as a violation of local laws, but US officials hinted that she was being leveraged politically in response to Abedini's detention. Abedini is set to face a Milan court on January 15, as Iran has tried to distance the cases from one another. Giovanni Caravelli, head of Italy's foreign intelligence service, reportedly traveled to Tehran to facilitate Sala's return. Her father, Renato Sala, expressed pride in his daughter and commended the government for their efforts, noting the complex dynamics surrounding her case.
Cecilia Sala Released from Iran as Diplomatic Efforts Succeed
Cecilia Sala Released from Iran as Diplomatic Efforts Succeed
Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, detained in Iran, is freed and flying back to Rome following intense diplomatic negotiations.
Cecilia Sala Released from Iran as Diplomatic Efforts Succeed
Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, detained in Iran, is freed and flying back to Rome following intense diplomatic negotiations.
Cecilia Sala, an Italian journalist who had been detained in Iran since December 19, has been released and is currently on a flight back to her home country, according to the Italian government. Her arrest came just days after Iranian engineer Mohammad Abedini was taken into custody in Milan on suspicion of supplying drone technology, which purportedly caused casualties among US soldiers. Reports indicate that Sala spent time in solitary confinement at Tehran's infamous Evin prison. The circumstances surrounding her release remain murky; however, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's administration credited "intense work through diplomatic and intelligence channels" for the outcome. Meloni expressed gratitude to everyone involved in securing Sala's release, personally relaying the news to her family. Her return flight was confirmed by news agency Ansa, with expected arrival in Rome at 15:30 local time. Sala's partner, fellow journalist Daniele Raineri, shared her emotional response, indicating that she had communicated her joy during their conversation. The shock of Sala’s detention had caused public outrage in Italy, with media outlets extensively covering the incident since Chora Media announced her arrest on December 27. Reports suggest that Meloni took a personal interest in the case, even discussing it with US president-elect Donald Trump over the weekend. The Iranian government framed her arrest as a violation of local laws, but US officials hinted that she was being leveraged politically in response to Abedini's detention. Abedini is set to face a Milan court on January 15, as Iran has tried to distance the cases from one another. Giovanni Caravelli, head of Italy's foreign intelligence service, reportedly traveled to Tehran to facilitate Sala's return. Her father, Renato Sala, expressed pride in his daughter and commended the government for their efforts, noting the complex dynamics surrounding her case.
Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, detained in Iran, is freed and flying back to Rome following intense diplomatic negotiations.
Cecilia Sala, an Italian journalist who had been detained in Iran since December 19, has been released and is currently on a flight back to her home country, according to the Italian government. Her arrest came just days after Iranian engineer Mohammad Abedini was taken into custody in Milan on suspicion of supplying drone technology, which purportedly caused casualties among US soldiers. Reports indicate that Sala spent time in solitary confinement at Tehran's infamous Evin prison. The circumstances surrounding her release remain murky; however, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's administration credited "intense work through diplomatic and intelligence channels" for the outcome. Meloni expressed gratitude to everyone involved in securing Sala's release, personally relaying the news to her family. Her return flight was confirmed by news agency Ansa, with expected arrival in Rome at 15:30 local time. Sala's partner, fellow journalist Daniele Raineri, shared her emotional response, indicating that she had communicated her joy during their conversation. The shock of Sala’s detention had caused public outrage in Italy, with media outlets extensively covering the incident since Chora Media announced her arrest on December 27. Reports suggest that Meloni took a personal interest in the case, even discussing it with US president-elect Donald Trump over the weekend. The Iranian government framed her arrest as a violation of local laws, but US officials hinted that she was being leveraged politically in response to Abedini's detention. Abedini is set to face a Milan court on January 15, as Iran has tried to distance the cases from one another. Giovanni Caravelli, head of Italy's foreign intelligence service, reportedly traveled to Tehran to facilitate Sala's return. Her father, Renato Sala, expressed pride in his daughter and commended the government for their efforts, noting the complex dynamics surrounding her case.
