" The plane bringing journalist Cecilia Sala home took off a few minutes ago from Tehran ." This is the announcement that arrived this morning, shortly after 11, from Palazzo Chigi .
"Thanks to intense work through diplomatic and intelligence channels," the note continues, " our compatriot has been released by the Iranian authorities and is returning to Italy."
The plane is expected in Ciampino in the afternoon, with landing, Palazzo Chigi reports, around 4 pm. The journalist will be accompanied by the director of AISE, Giovanni Caravelli.
THE REACTIONS – “I heard her, she said: see you soon. She was excited and very happy. I also answered her: see you in Rome”: this is what Daniele Raineri, Cecilia Sala’s partner, said. “I’m proud of her ”, Renato Sala commented, immediately after learning that his daughter Cecilia is returning to Italy. “I’ve only cried three times in my life. I think the government of our country has done an exceptional job . If you hear my voice breaking, I couldn’t see the horizon. It was an extraordinary job of coordination. I trusted in Cecilia’s strength”. “During her days of captivity I heard her three times – continued her father –. During this period I had the impression of a chess game , but there weren’t just two players. At a certain point the chessboard got crowded and this created strong fears in a parent like me, who unfortunately doesn’t know the moves. Fortunately, Antonio Tajani and I lived two steps away from each other for twelve years and there was a relationship that turned into a friendship. The comfort of information, even if protected but direct and immediate, undoubtedly helped a lot".
"The plane bringing Cecilia Sala home from Tehran is in flight," Giorgia Meloni wrote on social media. "Thanks to intense work on diplomatic and intelligence channels, our compatriot has been released by the Iranian authorities and is returning to Italy. I personally informed the journalist's parents during a phone call. I want to express my gratitude to all those who contributed to making Cecilia's return possible , allowing her to embrace her family and colleagues again."
Satisfaction also came from the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella , who expressed " to the President of the Council Giorgia Meloni his compliments for the return of Cecilia Sala to Italy", the note from the Quirinale. "Subsequently - the note continues - he telephoned Cecilia Sala's mother , whom he had met in the days following the arrest ".
THE ABEDINI CASE – In the meantime, Iran , through its media department of Culture and the Ministry of Islamic Guidance, has limited itself for now to confirming the news of Cecilia Sala's release . As for the Abedini case, the 38-year-old Iranian engineer arrested in Malpensa last December 16 at the request of the United States and whose case is closely intertwined with that of the journalist, it seems he could be released shortly at the request of the Minister of Justice Carlo Nordio .
(Unioneonline/vl)
