Tehran: A Swiss citizen arrested on charges of spying in Iran has reportedly died by suicide in custody.
Mizan Online, linked to Iran’s judiciary, reported the incident occurred Thursday at Semnan prison.
Authorities claim evidence reviewed from the prison confirms the individual took their own life.
The Swiss Embassy in Tehran is seeking clarification from Iranian authorities on the incident.
Case Under Review Before Death
The detainee’s identity remains undisclosed, but their espionage charges were under judicial review.
Semnan prison, located 190 kilometers east of Tehran, housed the individual during the investigation.
Iranian officials stated the individual had asked for food before taking their own life.
Left alone briefly, the prisoner used the opportunity to end their life, the chief justice noted.
Swiss Government Responds
Switzerland’s Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) confirmed the death of their citizen in Iran.
A statement from the FDFA expressed its commitment to clarifying the circumstances with local authorities.
Efforts by prison officials to save the individual were reported to have been unsuccessful.
Further details on the charges and the individual’s identity remain unavailable.
The case raises questions about detention conditions and due process in Iranian prisons.