Swiss national dies in Iranian prison under suspicious circumstances

A Swiss national, arrested on charges of espionage, has been found dead in Iran’s Semnan prison, according to Iranian state media. Authorities claim the individual died by suicide, but further details remain scarce.

The Swiss citizen had been incarcerated in Semnan prison, located in the northeastern part of the country. The individual had reportedly been detained by Iranian security forces on suspicion of espionage, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media

The Swiss Foreign Ministry confirmed the death and stated that its embassy in Tehran was in contact with local authorities to investigate the circumstances. “Our embassy in Tehran is in communication with Iranian authorities to establish the details surrounding the death,” said Nicolas Bideau, head of communications at the Swiss Foreign Ministry, in a tweet.

The Swiss government also assured that consular assistance is being provided to the family.

The Iranian judiciary’s report on the incident mentioned that the authorities made immediate efforts to save the individual’s life, but were unsuccessful. The man’s identity has not been disclosed by Iranian officials, and the investigation into the case is ongoing.

This tragic event comes amid heightened scrutiny of Iran's practice of detaining foreign nationals, particularly dual citizens, on charges often related to espionage. Critics accuse Tehran of using these individuals as political leverage, a claim the Iranian government consistently denies. The exact number of foreign nationals, including Europeans, currently detained in Iran is not publicly known.

Switzerland, which holds a significant diplomatic role in the region, frequently facilitates communication between Tehran and Western nations, notably representing American interests in Iran.

By Vafa Guliyeva