Italian journalist Cecilia Sala detained by Iranian police while reporting from Tehran, officials say

An Italian journalist has been detained by Iranian police while reporting in Tehran, Italy’s foreign ministry has said.

Cecilia Sala, 29, who works for Italian outlets Il Foglio and Chora Media, was reporting in Tehran on 19 December when she was arrested, it said.

Italy‘s foreign ministry added it was working with Iranian officials “to clarify the legal situation of Sala and to verify the conditions of her detention”.

It added the journalist had been allowed to make two phone calls to her relatives. Italian ambassador Paola Amadei also visited Ms Sala in prison on Friday, and foreign minister Antonio Tajani said she was “in good health condition”.

Both Il Foglio and Chora said she was detained in Evin Prison, where Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori were detained.

The prison often detains people with dual nationality, and human rights groups have alleged prisoners have been repeatedly abused in the jail.

Il Foglio editor Claudio Cerasa wrote on Friday that “journalism is not a crime” and called for Ms Sala to be brought home.

Chora added in a statement that Ms Sala had flown to Iran on 12 December “with a valid journalistic visa” and had been scheduled to return on 20 December.

“The independent voice of Cecilia has been silenced,” the media company added. “Italy and Europe cannot tolerate this arbitrary arrest. Cecilia Sala must be immediately released.”

Both outlets said they had come forward with the news a week later after being asked to remain silent by Italian authorities and Ms Sala’s parents.

As of writing, Iran has not acknowledged detaining Ms Sala. However, it can take weeks before authorities announce such arrests.