Italian Journalist Cecilia Sala Describes Detention in Iran
Cecilia Sala shares her 21-day ordeal in Iranian custody and subsequent release.
Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, recently released from Iranian detention, gave her first television interview on the program 'Che tempo che fa', hosted by Fabio Fazio.
Sala was detained for 21 days in solitary confinement at Tehran’s Evin Prison, an experience she described as swift compared to other cases of detention in Iran.
During her captivity, Sala recounted undergoing daily interrogations, often blindfolded with her back to the wall.
She recalled being questioned by the same person in fluent English, indicating familiarity with Italy.
Her final day of interrogation lasted ten hours, at which point she was given medication after she collapsed.
Despite the challenging conditions, Sala noted that her time in detention was shorter than that of many other journalists.
She spent her time counting her fingers or reading ingredients, as her request for an English-language Quran was denied.
The Italian journalist detailed how her family attempted to gain information during her detention.
Her partner, Daniele Raineri, reached out to Andrea Stroppa, an Italian contact of Elon Musk, hoping to leverage Musk's prior diplomatic engagements with Iran.
However, no direct communication with Musk was established.
Sala was detained under solitary conditions, at times blindfolded for movements within the facility.
She mentioned that the constant neon lights and isolation affected her mental state, and she relied on thoughts of happier times to sustain her.
Her release on January 8 occurred amidst diplomatic efforts involving Italy and other international parties.
Sala described the complex feelings of disbelief and fear regarding her possible transfer to another location within Iran.
While expressing gratitude for her release, Sala firmly stated she would not return to Iran as long as the current regime remains in power.
The journalist intends to focus on her recovery and future work after the ordeal.
Sala was detained for 21 days in solitary confinement at Tehran’s Evin Prison, an experience she described as swift compared to other cases of detention in Iran.
During her captivity, Sala recounted undergoing daily interrogations, often blindfolded with her back to the wall.
She recalled being questioned by the same person in fluent English, indicating familiarity with Italy.
Her final day of interrogation lasted ten hours, at which point she was given medication after she collapsed.
Despite the challenging conditions, Sala noted that her time in detention was shorter than that of many other journalists.
She spent her time counting her fingers or reading ingredients, as her request for an English-language Quran was denied.
The Italian journalist detailed how her family attempted to gain information during her detention.
Her partner, Daniele Raineri, reached out to Andrea Stroppa, an Italian contact of Elon Musk, hoping to leverage Musk's prior diplomatic engagements with Iran.
However, no direct communication with Musk was established.
Sala was detained under solitary conditions, at times blindfolded for movements within the facility.
She mentioned that the constant neon lights and isolation affected her mental state, and she relied on thoughts of happier times to sustain her.
Her release on January 8 occurred amidst diplomatic efforts involving Italy and other international parties.
Sala described the complex feelings of disbelief and fear regarding her possible transfer to another location within Iran.
While expressing gratitude for her release, Sala firmly stated she would not return to Iran as long as the current regime remains in power.
The journalist intends to focus on her recovery and future work after the ordeal.
Translation:
Translated by AI
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