Iranian authorities announced on Thursday that a Swiss citizen detained on charges of espionage has committed suicide in a prison in Semnan province. The incident was reported by the Mizan News Agency, which is affiliated with the Iranian judiciary.
Mohammad Sadegh Akbari, head of the Supreme Court in Semnan province, stated, “This morning, a Swiss citizen committed suicide in the detention facility at Semnan prison. Security agencies had arrested this individual for espionage, with documented evidence supporting the charges. The case was under review at the time of the incident.”
Akbari added that prison officials attempted to save the detainee, but resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful. The identity of the individual has not been disclosed, and further details about the case remain unavailable.
This development adds to the pattern of arrests involving dual nationals and foreigners in Iran, primarily on allegations of espionage and national security violations. In recent years, the country’s Revolutionary Guards have detained dozens of such individuals.
The suicide occurred just one day after Italian journalist Cecilia Sala was released from custody in Tehran. Sala had been detained on December 19, 2024, during a professional visit on a journalist visa. Authorities alleged that she violated the country’s laws but did not provide specific details.
Iran, which does not acknowledge dual nationality, continues to hold several Western nationals, many of whom also hold Iranian citizenship, on charges related to national security.
