Cecilia Sala in Evin; Italy and the Islamic Republic Summon Each Other's Ambassadors

After Italy summoned the ambassador of the Islamic Republic on Thursday due to the detention of Cecilia Sala, the Islamic Republic reciprocated by calling back the Italian ambassador in Tehran. Antonio Tajani, the Italian Foreign Minister, announced that 'Paola Amadi,' the ambassador of Italy in Tehran, was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic. The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a press release that it expressed its 'deep concern' regarding Ms. Sala's situation to Mohammad Reza Sabouri, the Iranian ambassador, and emphasized the need for humane treatment of this imprisoned journalist and the respect for human rights. 'Cecilia Sala,' a 29-year-old Italian journalist, was arrested in Tehran on December 20 and transferred to Evin Prison. Three days earlier, an Iranian citizen named Mohammad Abedini Najafabadi was arrested at Milan Airport, Italy, at the request of the U.S. prosecutor on charges of 'trafficking drone parts and equipment.' International organizations supporting press freedom have also called for the immediate release of 'Cecilia Sala,' the 29-year-old Italian journalist. The executive director of the Committee to Protect Journalists stated in a press release that Sala's arrest is a sign of the severe repression of independent journalists by the Iranian government and said, 'Sala's arrest is a reminder of the threats journalists face every day in Iran.' Judy Ginsburg also emphasized, 'Ms. Sala and all those who have been unjustly detained must be released immediately.' Reporters Without Borders described the detention of 'Cecilia Sala' as arbitrary and her conditions in solitary confinement as concerning. Thibaut Proust, the director-general of this organization, stated, 'Evin Prison is a symbol of the repression of free and critical voices in Iran, and Sala's arrest is a blatant violation of press freedom.' Italy summoned the ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Rome. Global pressure for the release of the detained Italian journalist in Iran. Reports indicate a connection between the detention of the Italian journalist in Iran and the arrest of Abedini in Italy. Italy has called for the immediate release of Cecilia Sala, the detained journalist in Iran. The case of the detained journalist in Iran is complex, according to the Italian Foreign Minister. Shirin Ebadi stated: 'The Italian journalist will not be the last hostage of the Islamic Republic.' A journalist imprisoned by the Islamic Republic noted: 'Iranian women do not observe hijab and are not afraid.'