Sala, celebrated for her fearless reporting for Il Foglio and her popular podcast Stories on Chora Media, entered Iran on December 12 with a valid journalist visa. Her mission was clear: to document the voices of dissent within the country. Among those she interviewed was Zeinab Musavi, a comedian previously jailed for mocking Iran’s hijab laws. Sala’s reporting also spotlighted the growing rebellion among Iranian women defying the hijab mandate. Her bold work clearly struck a nerve with the regime.

Italy’s Ambassador to Iran, Paola Amadei, visited Sala on December 27, confirming she is physically unharmed but emotionally drained. She has been allowed just two brief phone calls with her family. Denied access to legal representation and any clear explanation of her arrest, Sala is trapped in a system notorious for its disregard for justice. Is this how Iran treats foreign journalists?

The timing of her arrest raises suspicions of political maneuvering. Just a day before Sala was detained, Italian authorities arrested Mohammad Abedini Najafabadi, an Iranian accused of supplying drone parts to Iran’s military. Facing extradition to the U.S., Abedini’s case seems to have prompted Iran to use Sala as leverage. Is this yet another instance of Iran exploiting innocent individuals as bargaining chips?

Both Il Foglio and Chora Media have strongly condemned Sala’s detention, describing it as a blatant abuse of power. Claudio Cerasa, editor of Il Foglio, has called for her immediate release, declaring, “Journalism is not a crime.” Sala’s work, they stress, reflects her commitment to understanding and documenting Iran—not undermining it.

Public support for Sala is growing rapidly. The hashtag #FreeCecilia has gone viral, with activists, artists, and politicians joining the call for her freedom. In her hometown of Venafro, Italy, a mural now stands in her honor—a poignant tribute to her bravery and a powerful statement in defense of press freedom.

Diplomatic efforts to secure Sala’s release are underway, but Iran’s track record of using foreign detainees as political pawns cannot be ignored. The absence of formal charges and the suspicious timing of her arrest strongly suggest she is being used as a tool in a larger game.

Cecilia Sala’s imprisonment is a chilling reminder of Iran’s assault on truth and free speech. The international community is watching, Tehran. How long will you keep her silenced? How long will you hold her hostage? The pressure is mounting. Free Cecilia Sala—now.