Iran claims Swiss man who died by suicide in prison had photographed military sites
After Bern demanded probe into death of tourist who was arrested on suspicion of espionage, Tehran says 64-year-old entered Iran ‘in a car fitted with various technical equipment’
DUBAI – A Swiss national who Iranian authorities said took his own life while in an Iranian jail after being arrested on suspicion of espionage had taken pictures of military sites, Iran’s judiciary spokesperson said on Wednesday.
Switzerland had demanded detailed information on the reasons for the arrest of the 64-year-old man, who had been traveling in Iran as a tourist, and a full investigation into the circumstances of his death earlier this month.
“The person had entered the country from Dogharoun (bordering Afghanistan) in October as a tourist in a car fitted with various technical equipment meant for different purposes,” the judiciary spokesperson Asghar Jahangir said.
The Swiss Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) has said it was informed by the Islamic Republic about the arrest of the 64-year-old man on December 10 on suspicion of espionage.
The man had been traveling in Iran as a tourist, and had not resided in Switzerland for almost 20 years, the FDFA said, adding he had been living in southern Africa.
The Iranian spokesperson said the detainee had hanged himself with a piece of cloth after turning off his cell’s light and placing himself out of the view of security cameras.
“After passing through several provinces, he entered Semnan province and was arrested while being in a military-restricted zone,” Jahangir said. “He was arrested on charges of taking pictures of the military zone and collaborating with hostile states.”
Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards have in recent years arrested dozens of dual nationals and foreigners, mostly on charges related to espionage and security.
Several Europeans or dual nationals are detained in Iran, including French couple Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris, who are accused of spying.
Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, arrested and jailed in Iran since December, was freed and returned to Rome earlier this month.
In 2023, Oman negotiated the release of six Europeans, including Belgian aid worker Olivier Vandecasteele, who had been convicted of espionage and spent more than a year in detention.
Rights groups accuse Iran of trying to extract concessions from other countries through such arrests. Iran denies this.
