Italian war correspondent Cecilia Sala has been detained in Iran's Evin Prison, raising concerns about hostage diplomacy and the safety of journalists.
Late last month, I received calls from various sources and journalists claiming an Italian war correspondent, Cecilia Sala , had been detained in Iran . It was not safe to report on the case because public outrage could further risk her release, so our team held back on a statement. A few days later, we heard an official statement from Italian foreign affairs.
We’ve learned Sala is in Evin Prison—a facility synonymous with the systemic repression of dissent, the same place where author Sala was arrested on Dec. 19, a day before she was supposed to return back to Italy. Italy’s government has denounced her arrest as “unacceptable,” and Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani has described efforts to secure her release as “complicated.”toward Sala’s release. After conversations within diplomatic circles, we learned Iran may have arrested Sala in an act of retaliation, linked to ongoing disputes between Tehran and Rome, including the arrest in Italy of Mohammad Abedini Najafabadi, a 38-year-old Swiss-Iranian businessman. Using “hostage diplomacy” tactics on a European journalist is an an attack on the press and democracy itself. During my two decades of reporting, before I started the Coalition For Women in Journalism (CFWIJ), I had only seen these tactics used by terrorist groups, drug cartels and the like. But hostage diplomacy is becoming more commonplace as a blackmail tactic by hegemonic states. A recent example is Russia’s arrest and detainment of hostages, including American journalists Alsu Kurmasheva and Evan Gershkovich, who were used as bargaining chips in high-stakes geopolitical games between Russia and the United States. Sala’s prolonged detention would not only escalate tensions between Tehran and Rome but could also galvanize broader European and transatlantic unity against Iran’s tactics—something Iran may have already considere
Iran Hostage Diplomacy Journalism Cecilia Sala Evin Prison
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Italian Journalist Cecilia Sala Released From Iranian PrisonCecilia Sala, an Italian journalist detained in Iran for weeks, has been released and is on her way home. The Italian Prime Minister's office confirmed her release, crediting diplomatic and intelligence efforts for her freedom.
Read more »
Italian Reporter Cecilia Sala Detained in IranItalian journalist Cecilia Sala has been arrested in Tehran, Iran, on December 19th for allegedly violating Iranian laws. Details regarding the specific charges are still unclear, but the Italian government is working to clarify the situation and secure her release.
Read more »
Italian Journalist Cecilia Sala Detained in TehranItalian journalist Cecilia Sala has been detained in Tehran, Iran, while on a reporting assignment. Italian authorities are working to clarify her legal situation and secure her release. Sala, who works for Italian daily Il Foglio and Chora Media, was reportedly stopped by Tehran police on December 19th and is being held in Evin prison. Her detention has sparked international concern and calls for her release.
Read more »
Italian Journalist Cecilia Sala Released from Iran After Three WeeksCecilia Sala, a reporter for Il Foglio, was detained in Tehran on December 19th. Her release comes amidst a diplomatic standoff involving the detention of an Iranian engineer by Italian authorities.
Read more »
Italian journalist Cecilia Sala released from Iran and returning homeAn Italian journalist detained in Iran since Dec. 19 has been freed.
Read more »
Italian Journalist Cecilia Sala Released From Iranian DetentionItalian journalist Cecilia Sala, detained in Iran since December 19th, has been released and is returning home. While the Italian government credits diplomatic and intelligence efforts for her freedom, the case follows the arrest of an Iranian businessman in Italy on U.S. charges related to drone parts.
Read more »