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".
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