"Do not remain silent. Keep talking about Cecilia Sala." This is what Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a 46-year-old British-Iranian teacher, detained for 6 years in Evin prison for political reasons, said in an interview with Repubblica, regarding the arrest of the Italian journalist by Tehran.

Today, he would say to Sala, "that all this will end. That she had nothing to do with it. That it is not her fault, despite what some people may say. Unfortunately, Cecilia is not the first and will not be the last hostage of the Islamic Republic. I would like to talk to her family and share my experience. My advice is: do not remain silent. Continuing to talk about Cecilia would strengthen her position in prison, where she will now be terrorized and under enormous pressure from her jailers. And it would counteract Iran's blackmail."

To resist in prison "my little girl and my family gave me hope. Knowing that someone outside was fighting for my freedom gave me so much strength. As did the courage and determination of other women imprisoned in Evin. Together, we tried to survive, and not to forget life outside. Send books to Cecilia. They are essential for mental health. And Rome must remove Cecilia from isolation as soon as possible, because there she is at risk of torture".

Asked what the Italian government should do, he says: “Protecting Cecilia is the most important thing. At the same time, it should not send the wrong messages to Iran. It should not accept the specious accusations against her, but speak openly about Cecilia being held hostage. And please, do not downplay it. The other day I was shocked by Tajani’s tweet ‘Cecilia is fine’. How can you say something like that, while she is locked up in Evin? It is irresponsible, negligent and dangerous.”

(Online Union)

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