Italian Journalist Arrested in Iran - You Won't Believe Why

Cecilia Sala, an Italian-origin journalist, was arrested and imprisoned in Tehran without any wrongdoing.

Global media reports suggest that Sala's arrest is in retaliation for the arrest of Mohammad Abdini Najafabadi, an Iranian-Swiss businessman detained in Italy, suspected of arms trafficking.

Sala, who works for the Italian newspaper 'Il Foglio', was arrested 11 days ago while reporting in Iran's capital, Tehran, and was held in isolation for a week - despite having received a journalist visa and reporting on the changing landscape in Iran after Assad's regime fell in Syria.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sala was allowed only two phone calls to her relatives. Italy's ambassador to Iran, Paola Amadai, visited Sala in prison and stated she is "in good health," and her arrest is purely retaliatory for the businessman's arrest at Milan's airport. "Unfortunately, the Iranian regime continues to unjustly detain citizens of other countries, often using them as political leverage," said a U.S. spokesperson. "There is no justification for this, and they should be released immediately. Journalists perform a critical role in informing the public, often under dangerous conditions, and they must be protected."

"We are aware of the arrest in Iran of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala," added the U.S. State Department. "Her arrest follows an Iranian citizen's arrest in Italy on December 16 for smuggling drone components. We reiterate our call for the immediate and unconditional release of all arbitrarily detained prisoners in Iran, without justified reason."

According to American reports, the businessman is considered a terrorist. "He is charged with criminal association for the purpose of terrorism and is held in a Milan prison for illegally exporting sanctions-banned electronic devices that could be used in drones."

Nagafabadi's lawyer, Alfredo de Francesco, told Italy's ANSA news agency that his client rejected all accusations against him. "From the analysis of the documents available, although the charges formally seem serious, in reality, my client's position seems much less severe than it might appear," de Francesco stated. "He rejects the allegations and cannot understand the reasons for his arrest."

Najafabadi, wanted by the U.S. for violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization, is charged with drone trafficking, some of which were reportedly used in a deadly attack in Jordan.

Georgia Meloni, the Prime Minister of Italy, closely monitors the case, and all efforts are being made to bring Sala home, her office at Palazzo Chigi stated.