Cecilia Sala, a prominent contributor to the Italian daily II Foglio, is back home following 21 days of detention in Iran—for allegedly “violating the law of the Islamic Republic” while on a reporting trip.
Welcoming Sala in Rome, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the release was thanks to “intense work on diplomatic and intelligence channels.” It came just three days after she raised the issue with U.S. President-Elect Donald Trump, and reportedly received his “understanding” that Italy would have to turn down an American extradition request for Mohammad Abedini—arrested in Milan last month on the charge of providing support to Iran—in return for freeing Sala.
In a press conference held shortly after the meeting, Trump also threatened (again) that “all hell will break out” in the Middle East if Hamas does not release the remaining hostages by the time he enters office on January 20th. It is not difficult to view this as further pressuring Tehran, whether a deal is made over Abedini’s case—which Iran denies being linked to that of Sala—or not.
Italian news site Il Post, where Sala’s partner works, said that Trump had given Meloni “a sort of green light” to negotiate with Iran.
Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden has received next-to-no mention in the coverage of Sala’s release, other than reflecting the scheduling of the final foreign trip of his term to Rome this week (now cancelled).
Meloni has received praise both from her own side (expectedly) and, more impressive, from the opposition, whose left-wing Democratic Party leader gave her
thanks to the government, the diplomatic corps, the services and those who have worked tirelessly during these 20 days of apprehension and anguish for this achievement.
Sala’s first words to her colleagues upon arriving home were: “Hi, I’m back.”
