The Italian government has summoned the Iranian ambassador to protest the detention of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala in Tehran, calling for her immediate release, the Foreign Ministry in Rome said on Thursday.

Ms Sala, who works for Italian daily Il Foglio and runs a well-known podcast, was arrested in the Iranian capital on December 19 on accusations of violating the country’s media law.

She is being held in solitary confinement at Tehran’s notorious Evin prison.

According to Italian media reports, Ms Sala, 29, has complained to relatives about the conditions she is being kept in, including being forced to sleep on the floor without a mattress.

In addition, the lights are being kept on in her cell throughout the night and her glasses have been taken from her, according to the Corriere della Sera newspaper.

EU foreign policy Chief Kaja Kallas has also called for the journalist’s release.

“No one should be imprisoned for doing their job. Journalism is not a crime,” Mr Kallas told La Repubblica newspaper.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was reportedly due to meet with some cabinet ministers on Thursday to discuss further steps on the matter.

(dpa/NAN)