Iranian jailed in Italy says will pray for Italian journalist locked up in Iran

An Iranian detained in Milan who is wanted on terrorism charges by Washington said he would pray for himself and Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, jailed in Tehran.

"I will pray for her and for myself", Italian media quoted Mohammad Abedini Najafabadi telling his attorney during a meeting Friday at Milan's Opera prison.

Abedini, 38, was arrested by Italian authorities last month at the behest of the United States for his alleged role in providing technology used to kill three US soldiers in a drone attack in Jordan.

Three days after his arrest, Sala was arrested on unspecified charges and placed in solitary confinement in Tehran’s Evin prison despite working in the country on a valid press pass.

Tehran has informed Rome that Sala’s release is contingent on Italy freeing Abedini.

Milan’s attorney general, Francesca Nanni, denied Mohammad Abedini’s request for conditional release on Thursday, citing a high risk of flight.

An appeals court in Milan has scheduled a hearing for January 15 to consider Abedini’s attorney’s request to transfer him to house arrest instead of remaining in Milan’s Opera prison.