A Swiss citizen detained in Iran on charges of espionage has died in custody, Iranian state media reported Thursday.
According to the semi-official Tasnim News Agency, the man “committed suicide” while being held at a prison in the eastern city of Semnan. The Iranian judiciary-run Mizan News Agency stated that prison officials attempted to save his life but were unsuccessful.
The man, whose identity has not been disclosed, was reportedly arrested by Iranian security forces and was under investigation for alleged spying activities.
“This morning, a Swiss citizen committed suicide in Semnan prison,” said Mohammad Sadegh Akbari, the chief justice of Semnan province, in a statement on Mizan’s website.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have detained numerous dual nationals and foreigners in recent years, often accusing them of espionage or other security-related crimes. These arrests have drawn international criticism, with human rights organisations frequently calling for transparency and fair treatment of detainees.
Switzerland plays a key diplomatic role as an intermediary between Washington and Tehran, representing American interests in Iran and facilitating communication between the two nations.
The Swiss government has yet to comment on the incident, and it remains unclear if consular officials were granted access to the detainee before his death.
The death of the Swiss detainee is likely to heighten scrutiny of Iran’s treatment of foreign prisoners.
Human rights groups have previously raised concerns about prison conditions in Iran, including allegations of mistreatment and limited access to legal representation for those accused of security-related offences.
Iran has not provided further details regarding the circumstances of the alleged suicide or the evidence supporting the espionage charges.
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