Cecilia Sala, an Italian journalist who was detained last month in Iran while on a reporting trip, was released and on her way back to Italy on Wednesday, the Italian government said in a statement.
“The plane that is taking journalist Cecilia Sala home took off a few minutes ago from Tehran,” the Italian government announced Wednesday morning, adding that “thanks to intense work on diplomatic and intelligence channels, our compatriot has been released by the Iranian authorities.”
Ms. Sala, 29, had been held for 20 days and told her family that she was kept in an isolation cell, with only two blankets and constant light, her family has said.
Fars, a news agency affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, also reported the news of Ms. Sala’s release, citing Italy’s prime minister.
On Wednesday Ms. Sala’s partner, Daniele Raineri, said she had called him and told him, “I am free.”
“I am so happy,” Mr. Raineri said as he prepared to go to the airport to greet Ms. Sala. He said the wait was “excruciating” but that Italy had done “exceptional work.”
Mr. Raineri said that Ms. Sala’s plane was scheduled to land in Rome at about 3.30 p.m. on Wednesday.
Ms. Sala, who had a journalist visa, was arrested on Dec. 19 on charges of violating the laws of the Islamic Republic of Iran, but officials there did not provide any further details.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy called Ms. Sala’s parents on Wednesday to tell them that she was returning, according to the government statement.
This is a developing story.
Leily Nikounazar contributed reporting.
