Italy is working to secure the release of one of its journalists, Cecilia Sala, who has been detained in Iran since Dec. 19. Sala, a 29-year-old podcaster and journalist for Il Foglio newspaper, was arrested by Iranian authorities for “violating the laws of the Islamic Republic” while on a journalistic visa.
Earlier this week, Sala’s family learned of the harsh conditions she is enduring in solitary confinement, according to The Wall Street Journal. Sala phoned her family and told them authorities put her in Tehran’s Evin Prison. She also said she is sleeping on the cold floor of her cell with no mattress.
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On Friday, Jan. 3, Iranian authorities demanded that Italy release Iranian businessman Mohammed Abedini. Italian authorities arrested him in Milan last month at the request of the United States.
The U.S. accuses Abedini of illegally supplying drone technology to Iranian-backed militants, used to kill three U.S. soldiers in an attack in Jordan nearly one year ago.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is facing growing pressure to secure Sala’s release. However, if Meloni agrees to release Abedini in a potential prisoner swap for Sala, the move could harm her future relationship with President-elect Donald Trump.
Trump has vowed to put “maximum pressure” on Iran, The Journal reports.
Meanwhile, Iranian authorities warned Italian officials Friday not to yield to Washington’s “political and hostile goals.”
President Biden plans to visit Rome from Jan. 9 to 12 for his final foreign trip as president, and he and Meloni will likely discuss this issue.
