Swiss citizen dies in Iran prison after spying arrest
A Swiss citizen arrested in Iran on espionage charges has died in prison, according to Iranian state media.
The individual, detained in a prison in the eastern city of Semnan alongside another inmate, reportedly “committed suicide” on Thursday, as reported by the semi-official Tasnim News Agency.
The judiciary-operated Mizan News Agency stated that prison staff made immediate efforts to save the man’s life, but these attempts were unsuccessful.
No further details about the man’s identity were provided.
“Earlier today, a Swiss citizen committed suicide in Semnan prison,” read a statement on Mizan’s website, attributed to Mohammad Sadegh Akbari, the chief justice of Semnan. The statement noted that the individual had been “arrested by Iranian security forces on charges of espionage,” with the case still under investigation.
Switzerland’s Foreign Affairs Department confirmed the death and stated that its embassy was in contact with Iranian authorities.
In recent years, Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards have arrested dozens of dual nationals and foreigners, mostly on charges related to espionage and security.
Switzerland plays an important intermediary role between Washington and Tehran as it represents American interests in Iran and shares messages between the two countries.
