Swiss National Found Dead in Iranian Prison, Authorities Claim Suicide
A Swiss national was found dead in an Iranian prison on Thursday, with authorities claiming he took his own life. The man was arrested on suspicion of espionage.
According to Iranian officials, the incident occurred when the prisoner asked his cellmates to bring him food from the prison canteen, and during the brief time he was alone in his cell, he took his life. The prison staff attempted to save the man, but their efforts were unsuccessful. The Supreme Judge of the Iranian province of Semnan stated that all evidence and records were reviewed, and the case was classified as a suicide.
The identity of the deceased was not disclosed by the Iranian authorities. Reports by the Iranian news agency Mizan Online stated that the man was detained by security forces on suspicion of espionage. The case will continue to be investigated.
The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs in Bern confirmed the Swiss national’s death and stated that the Swiss embassy in Tehran was in contact with local authorities to clarify the circumstances of the death. The department’s spokesperson emphasized that the family of the deceased would also be provided with consular protection.
The incident has raised further questions about Iran’s practice of detaining Western nationals on suspicion of espionage, with critics accusing the country of using these detentions for political purposes. Iran’s government has denied these allegations, and the country currently holds a number of European nationals, including those with Iranian passports, in its prisons.
Switzerland plays a unique role in Iran, having represented the interests of the United States in the country since 1980, giving it a central role in consular matters for American citizens in Iran.
The exact number of foreign prisoners in Iran remains unknown, and Switzerland continues to face the challenging situation that these detentions bring.