Judiciary's Claim: Swiss Prisoner Who Committed Suicide Was Arrested for Photographing Military Areas

The spokesperson for Iran's judiciary claimed that a Swiss national who recently 'committed suicide' in Semnan prison was arrested for photographing military areas. Asghar Jahangir stated on Wednesday, January 23, that this individual entered the country as a tourist from the Dogharoun border (Afghanistan) in October of this year with a vehicle equipped with 'various technical equipment for different applications.' He mentioned that the individual passed through several provinces and was arrested in the military delta area, which is a prohibited military zone, while 'photographing.' Previously, the head of the Semnan judiciary had claimed on January 10 that a Swiss national arrested for 'espionage' had 'committed suicide' in Semnan prison. Regarding the manner of the suicide, Jahangir claimed that 'on the day of the incident, after having breakfast, the individual, whose video is available, turned off the electricity in the cell in the absence of his cellmate and, in a location where the camera could not monitor, managed to hang himself using a cut from the curtain fabric at the entrance to the bathroom.' He further stated that a delegation from the Swiss embassy, along with a 'trusted physician,' was present at the scene and examined the body, confirming the suicide. The statements of this spokesperson for the Iranian judiciary cannot be independently verified. This claim comes as the Swiss government has not officially confirmed the suicide of its citizen, and one day after the announcement of the suicide of the 64-year-old individual, whose name has not been released, the Swiss Foreign Ministry requested further explanations regarding the death of its citizen in Semnan prison. Security agencies of the Islamic Republic have repeatedly used the detention of dual-national Iranian citizens or foreign citizens to gain leverage from Western governments or for prisoner exchanges. The Islamic Republic usually condemns foreign nationals on charges such as 'acts against national security' and 'espionage,' but does not provide clear evidence to substantiate these accusations. If you are thinking about suicide, please contact social emergency services at 123 or counseling centers.