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An Italian tourist was seized by Iranian police on her way to her own birthday picnic with pals after posting tweets supporting the country’s hijab protests.
Alessia Piperna, 30, is employed as a globe-trotting remote worker from Rome was seized on 28th September, reported local media.
Her parents have contacted the Italy Ministry of Foreign Affairs for help after receiving a call from their daughter four days after her arrest, according to reports.
Alessia – who has spent the six years travelling the world – told her parents she had been detained “for no reason”.
Local media reports have also stated that the exact motive behind Alessia’s arrest remains unclear.
The news comes after Amnesty International revealed that nine foreign nationals were arrested on charges of “complicity” during protests in the country before the Ministry of Information in Iran confirmed that an Italian national had been detained and claimed that “agents of foreign intelligence organisations” participated in the protests.
Alessia arrived in Iran about two months ago and was reportedly waiting for a visa to visit Pakistan.
The avid traveller has visited countries around the world, including Mexico, Australia, India and Sri Lanka and constantly uploaded travelling tips and pictures to her Instagram account.
In her last post, which dates back to 27th September, Alessia mentions the song “Bella Ciao”, which has become a protest anthem during the recent nationwide protests in Iran that erupted after the death of Mahsa Amini.
Alessia then announced her decision to delay her trip to Pakistan.
She wrote: “For us travellers, tourists, vacationers in foreign lands, it is easy to judge, to have our say, to stay while everything is fine, to then get on the plane and leave…
“I can’t. I can’t get out of here, now more than ever.
“Here people are tired of being a puppet, that’s why thousands of people are taking to the streets to protest.
“They are demonstrating for their freedom, women, men, adolescents and the elderly.
“And every one of them, every single person, risks his own life when he goes on the streets “.
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