Switzerland Requests Explanation from Tehran Officials Regarding the Death of Its Detained Citizen in Iran

The Swiss Foreign Ministry issued a statement requesting the Islamic Republic of Iran to provide detailed information regarding the reasons for the arrest and death of a citizen of this country in Iran, and called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances of his death. According to a statement released by the ministry on Friday, January 21, the Swiss embassy was informed by Iranian officials on December 10, 2024, that a Swiss citizen had been arrested on charges of espionage. Switzerland has not disclosed his identity but stated that he was a 64-year-old man who had traveled to Iran as a tourist and had not resided in Switzerland for nearly 20 years, living instead in South Africa. The head of the judiciary in Semnan province claimed on Thursday that a Swiss national arrested for 'espionage' had committed 'suicide' in Semnan prison. The Swiss Foreign Ministry confirmed the death of its citizen in Iran on the same day, and the Swiss embassy in Tehran reported that it was in contact with local authorities. In a statement released on Sunday, the Swiss Foreign Ministry reiterated that since becoming aware of the individual's arrest, its embassy in Tehran had been in daily contact with Iranian officials to obtain more information about the details of the arrest and consular access to the detained citizen, but 'due to the charges against this individual (espionage and actions against national security), consular access was not possible during the preliminary investigation.' According to the ministry's statement, the Swiss embassy in Tehran was informed on Thursday that this Swiss citizen had committed suicide in prison. The Swiss Foreign Ministry has requested the Islamic Republic to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances of this Swiss citizen's death and to provide detailed information regarding the reasons for his arrest. The statement mentioned that the body of this Swiss citizen is a priority for the country and will be returned in the coming days. The ministry concluded its statement by announcing that there is currently no further information to provide and emphasized that no other Swiss citizen is detained in Iran. The judiciary news agency, Mizan, reported on Thursday evening, citing Mohammad Sadegh Akbari, the head of the judiciary in Semnan province, that the Swiss citizen was being held in 'a suite' with another inmate in Semnan prison, and when he was alone in the suite, he committed 'suicide.' Mr. Akbari did not name this Swiss national or provide further details but stated that investigations in this regard have been conducted and 'suicide is confirmed.' Three years ago, a female Swiss diplomat working at her country's embassy in Tehran died under suspicious circumstances. At that time, Iranian officials announced that this diplomat had fallen from the seventeenth floor of a tall building in the Kamranieh neighborhood of Tehran.