Iran's Ambassador Discusses Detained Nationals with Italy's Foreign Ministry
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Reza Sabouri met with Italy's Foreign Ministry Secretary-General Riccardo Guariglia in Rome to address consular matters and the cases of detained nationals, including Mohammad Abedini and Cecilia Sala.
The Iranian Embassy in Rome reported on Thursday that Ambassador Sabouri held a "friendly meeting" with Guariglia at the invitation of the Italian official, IRNA reported, citing a note that was sent to the news agency.
According to the note, the two sides reviewed the present position of Iranian citizen Mohammad Abedini, who is imprisoned in Milan on unfounded accusations, as well as the issue of Italian national Cecilia Sala, who is imprisoned for breaching Iranian law.
Sabouri provided an update on Abedini, who was arrested at Milan’s Malpensa airport on December 16 under a US warrant allegedly related to the January 28 drone attack on a US military outpost in Jordan.
He also addressed the case of Sala, who was arrested in Iran for violating local laws after arriving on December 13 with a journalism visa.
The Ambassador explained that Iran, guided by Islamic clemency and humanitarian principles, has ensured Sala’s access to consular services, as well as allowing phone calls to her family.
Sabouri emphasized that Tehran expects Italy to expedite Abedini’s release and ensure he receives necessary comfort items during detention.
In a statement, the General Directorate of Foreign Media of Iran's Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance said Sala travelled to Iran on December 13 on a journalist’s visa and was arrested six days later for violating the law of the Islamic Republic.
Sala's case is under investigation and her arrest was carried out in accordance with regulations, the statement read, adding that the Italian Embassy in Tehran has been informed of the matter.
The Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance has always welcomed the lawful activities of international journalists in Iran and has protected their legal rights, it emphasized.
