Confirmation of the arrest of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala by Iran

Tehran has confirmed the arrest of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala for violating the laws of the Islamic Republic. Iran’s Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance said in a statement that Cecilia Sala came to Iran on a journalist visa on December 13 and was arrested six days later. According to the official news agency IRNA, Sala’s case is under investigation and the Italian Embassy in Tehran has been informed about his arrest. The ministry said that Sala has been arrested under the relevant laws and consular access has also been granted to him. His family has also been contacted on the phone. Earlier on Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy had claimed that the Iranian police had detained Sala in Tehran. Sala is a reporter for the Italian daily Roznamche al Foglio. According to the newspaper, Sala is kept in Evin prison in Tehran. – Ap