Cecilia Sala is free and is returning home
Cecilia Sala has been freed and is expected in the early afternoon in Rome where she will be welcomed by Premier Meloni. The journalist, according to a statement from the General Department of Foreign Media of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Orientation of Iran, last December 19 was ''arrested for violating the laws of the Islamic Republic of Iran''.
Source: getty-images
Cecilia Sala is an esteemed 29-year-old Italian journalist who has always stood out for her ability to narrate complex events with depth and clarity: from the crisis in Venezuela to the protests in Chile, from the fall of Kabul to the war in Ukraine. This time too his presence in Tehran was linked to work reasons and the reasons for his detention in Evin prison, known in the news for hosting political prisoners and dissidents, are still unclear.
Why was Cecilia Sala arrested?
Iranian authorities said Sala is accused of “violation of the laws of the Islamic Republic“, but no details on the alleged infringements were provided.
His arrest came just days after the detention in Italy of Mohammad Abedini, an Iranian engineer arrested at Malpensa airport on a US warrant, accused of supplying drone components to Iran. This is a coincidence which has raised hypotheses about a possible link between the two arrests, suggesting that theIran could use Sala's detention as diplomatic leverage. Iran has a history of detaining journalists and foreign citizens, often accused of violating national security laws or other regulations, without clarifying the precise charges. As happened in the past, also in this case the available information does not go into detail of what crimes Cecilia Sala is alleged to have committed.
The current situation
The Italian government expressed deep concern about the situation, summoning the Iranian ambassador to Rome and requesting the journalist's immediate release, as well as guarantees on her conditions of detention. Sala was able to communicate briefly with his family, reassuring them of his health condition, but described the difficult conditions in prisonincluding solitary confinement.
The international community and press freedom organizations are closely monitoring the situation, expressing concern about the use of arrests of journalists as tools of political pressure.
What are the basic laws of the Islamic Republic of Iran
The Fundamental laws of the Islamic Republic of Iran are based on Constitution of 1979which was drafted and approved after the Islamic revolution led by Ayatollah Khomeini. The constitution is a document that combines democratic principles with religious norms based on Shia Islam. Here are the main aspects and fundamental laws:
The principle of Velayat-e Faqih (Protection of the Islamic jurist)
The Iranian political system is a theocracy in which the Supreme Leader (Velayat-e Faqih) has a central role. He is the highest political and religious authority in the country and supervises the main institutions of the state.
Islamic law (Sharia)
All laws and regulations must comply with the principles of Sharia (Islamic law). The Guardian Council is responsible for verifying that any new law passed by Parliament is compatible with the Islamic religion.
The rights and duties of citizens
The Constitution guarantees some fundamental rights, such as the right to work, education and private property, but always within the limits imposed by Islamic law.
There are significant restrictions on freedom of expression, press and association, which must respect religious and moral values.
Role of religion
Iran is officially an Islamic Republic and the state religion is Twelver Shia Islam. Other religious minorities, such as Christians, Jews and Zoroastrians, are recognized and have limited rights, but cannot engage in activities that are contrary to Islam.
The Council of Guardians
This institution is composed of six Islamic jurists appointed by the Supreme Leader and six jurists appointed by Parliament. The council has the power to block non-Sharia-compliant laws and to approve candidates in general elections.
The legislative system
Iran has a popularly elected Parliament (Majles), but its decisions must be approved by the Guardian Council. There is also an Assembly of Experts, made up of religious people, which has the task of electing the Supreme Leader and can, in theory, remove him.
Foreign policy
The Constitution establishes that Iran must support the liberation struggles of oppressed peoples, a principle that guides Iranian foreign policy especially towards Muslim countries.
Criminal Code
The Iranian penal code is based on Sharia and provides severe penalties, such as stoning, amputation, flagellation and the death penalty, for crimes such as adultery, homosexuality, blasphemy and apostasy.
Role of women
Women have limited rights compared to men. They are subject to strict rules in family, work and clothing (for example the obligation to wear a veil).
Freedom of the press and censorship
The press is subjected to stringent controls. The publication of content deemed contrary to Islamic morality or critical of the government and the Supreme Leader is prohibited. These fundamental principles and laws define the legal and political framework of Iran and regulate the lives of citizens in all spheres, from the personal to the public sphere.
