Swiss citizen accused of espionage dies in Iranian prison

A Swiss citizen accused of espionage was found dead in a prison in the eastern Iranian city of Semnan. Iranian authorities say it is a suicide. The name of the deceased has not been released.

“The Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms the fact of death. Our embassy in Tehran is in contact with local authorities to establish the circumstances of the death. Relatives are provided with consular assistance,” the Foreign Ministry press service said.

Iran practices so-called “hostage diplomacy,” detaining citizens of Western countries in order to later exchange them for its agents arrested in the West.

On January 12, Iranian citizen Muhammad Abedni Najafabadi, detained on a US warrant and accused of involvement in the deaths of three American soldiers in Jordan in early 2024, was released in Italy.

Many political observers believe a deal may have been struck between Italy and Iran in which Iran released Italian journalist Cecilia Sala last week in exchange for the release of Muhammad Abedni Najafabadi. Neither Italy nor Iran have officially confirmed the existence of an agreement.