An Italian journalist, Cecilia Sala, has been detained in Iran.

Iran confirmed that Italian journalist Cecilia Sala was detained in the capital, Tehran.

Regarding 29-year-old Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, who was reported to have been detained in the capital Tehran, a statement has been made. The Iranian official news agency confirmed that the journalist, who came to the country on December 13 to report on Iranian society, was detained on December 19 for "violating the law."

"IN CONTACT WITH HER FAMILY"

The statement noted that the investigation into Sala is ongoing. The Iranian Ministry of Culture stated that consular assistance has been provided to Sala and that she is "in contact with her family by phone."

Cecilia Sala shared a link to a publication titled "A Conversation on Patriarchy in Tehran" on her social media account on December 17. In a statement made by the media company Chora, it was expressed that Sala traveled to Iran from Rome on a journalist visa and planned to return on December 20.

STATEMENT FROM THE ITALIAN GOVERNMENT

In a statement made by Italy on Friday, it was emphasized that the detention of Sala, held in Evin Prison in Tehran, is "unacceptable." It was learned that Italy's Ambassador to Tehran, Paola Amadei, visited Sala, while Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated that the process regarding Sala is "complex."

ALLEGATION OF HOSTAGE NEGOTIATION

Mohammad Abedini Najafabadi, a 38-year-old businessman with Swiss-Iranian citizenship, was detained at Milan's Malpensa Airport on December 16 for allegedly violating U.S. sanctions. Reports in the Italian press highlighted that Sala may have been detained for hostage negotiation purposes. The reports claimed that Iran wants Najafabadi's release in exchange for Sala's freedom.