Iran said Monday that Cecilia Sala, an Italian journalist held in Evin Prison since December 19 possibly in retaliation for the Milan arrest three days earlier of a Swiss-Iranian businessman accused of arms trafficking by the US, had been arrested for violating Islamic law.
The General Department of Foreign Media of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Orientation of Iran confirmed in a statement the arrest of Cecilia Sala "for violating the laws of the Islamic Republic of Iran", the IRNA news agency said.
"The Italian citizen arrived in Iran on December 13 with a journalist visa and was arrested on the 19th for violating the law of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
"Her case is under investigation.
"The arrest was carried out in accordance with current legislation and the Italian embassy was informed.
"She was granted consular access and telephone contact with her family".
"The ministry's policy has always been to welcome visits and legal activities of foreign journalists, increase the number of foreign media in the country and preserve their legal rights," the statement continued, cited by IRNA. "A case has been opened on Italian citizen Cecilia Sala, and investigations are currently underway. Her arrest was made in accordance with the applicable law. Further details will be provided if the judiciary deems it necessary," it added.
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