The arrest of Cecilia Sala it does not represent “retaliation” by Iran in response to the detention of the Iranian citizen Mohammad Abedini Najafabadi by Italy on mandate from the United States. This was clarified by the spokesperson of the Tehran government, Fatemeh Mohajeraniin statements reported by the agency Isna. Mohajerani specified that “Sala’s arrest is not related to any other issue” and expressed the hope that “his problem will be resolved”.
Abedini’s interest in Cecilia Sala
Meanwhile, in Opera prison, where he is detained, Abedini Najafabani asked her lawyer for information about Cecilia Sala again, Alfredo De Francescoduring an interview that lasted approximately 40 minutes. “He continues to see her face compared to that of the journalist on TV and therefore asked me about her,” De Francesco explained toAGI. Already in a previous meeting, Abedini had asked who the woman mentioned in the television reports linked to him was.
Preparations for the hearing on January 15th
The lawyer De Francesco announced that it will file further documentation in the next few days in view of the hearing scheduled for January 15th before the Court of Appeal. The objective is to convince the judges to accept the request for house arrest for his client. Documentation can be submitted up to five days before the hearing.
De Francesco also reported that a representative of the Iranian embassy could visit Abedini in the coming days. During the last meeting, the lawyer discussed technical issues with the prisoner in preparation for the hearing, also explaining to him the political nature of the extradition decision.
Conditions of detention and contact with family
In his solitary confinement cell, Abedini he obtained permission to resume telephone contact with his wife. This marks a small improvement in his condition as discussions continue on the case, which remains high profile both legally and politically.