Italy summoned Iran’s ambassador on Thursday to demand the release of an Italian journalist, Cecilia Sala, while Tehran demanded Italy free an Iranian citizen arrested on a US warrant over a drone attack in Jordan that killed three Americans a year ago.
The case involves Mohammad Abedini, one of the suspects accused of supplying drone technology used in the January 2024 attack. He was detained at Milan’s Malpensa airport on a US warrant seeking his extradition.
Sala, an Italian reporter, was arrested three days later on charges of violating Iran’s laws. The Italian and Iranian governments refer to both cases as they seek the release of their citizens, with both countries claiming their detaines are being unjustly accused.
The US Justice Department has charged Abedini and a co-defendant with export control violations. Iranian officials have described Abedini’s detention as “false charges” and demanded his release.
Italy’s government is demanding Sala’s immediate release and treatment that respects human dignity, while the Italian foreign ministry has assured Abedini of equal treatment in compliance with international conventions.
The case reflects an escalation in a sensitive diplomatic tangle between Italy, Iran, and the US. Iranian officials have used prisoners with Western ties as bargaining chips in negotiations since the 1979 US Embassy crisis.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/italy-iran-journalist-arrest-ambassador-6656e7f9df9db8b7216a180d69dde52c