Switzerland says Iran withheld details, denied access to Swiss detainee who later died
Iran withheld information from Switzerland and refused consular access to a Swiss citizen who later died in Iranian custody, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) said on Sunday. According to the FDFA, the Swiss embassy in Tehran was informed on December 10 of the detention of a person on suspicion of espionage.
It took three weeks before it was confirmed that the detainee was indeed a Swiss national, the ministry said. Because of the espionage allegations, Iranian authorities did not grant the consular access requested by Switzerland—a practice the FDFA described as usual for Iran in such cases but one it says violates the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
Swiss officials said they communicated this position to Iranian authorities on several occasions. The embassy maintained daily contact with Iranian authorities after the initial notification to seek details on the arrest and access to the detainee, according to the FDFA.
The Iranian portal Nurnews reported that the 64-year-old had been arrested in October. On January 9, 2025, the Swiss embassy was informed that the detainee had taken his own life in prison. Following that notification, Switzerland demanded a full investigation into the circumstances of the arrest and death.
The FDFA did not disclose on Sunday what information Iran has provided so far. The body of the deceased was repatriated to Switzerland on January 22.