UK – Iran International, January 03, 2025
Tehran made clear to Rome that the freedom of an Italian reporter detained in Iran depends on Italy’s release of an Iranian arrested at Washington’s behest, a source familiar with discussions between the Italian government and the journalist’s family told Iran International.
Iran’s demand has not been previously reported and had been left unsaid by senior Italian officials, including the prime minister, eager for a swift end to the crisis.
Newspaper journalist and podcaster Cecilia Sala, 29, was arrested on unspecified charges last month and placed in solitary confinement despite working in the country on a valid press pass.
Mohammad Abedini Najafabadi, 38, was arrested by Italian authorities at the behest of the United States for his alleged role in providing technology used to kill three US soldiers in a drone attack in Jordan.
Speaking to Iran International on condition of anonymity, a source familiar with discussions between the Italian government and Sala’s family said Iran conveyed its terms for her release to Italy’s ambassador in Tehran.
Iran, the source said, is prepared to free Sala “on humanitarian grounds” if the Italian government drops the extradition proceedings against Abedini and grants his release from Milan’s brooding La Opera prison.
