Switzerland demands probe into Swiss man's death in Iran jail

Switzerland demanded on Friday a thorough investigation into the death of a Swiss national who was arrested in Iran on spying charges and died in prison.

The authorities in Tehran said on Thursday he had committed suicide.

"Switzerland is demanding that the Iranian authorities provide detailed information on the reasons for his arrest and a full investigation into the circumstances of his death," said a foreign ministry statement.

"The repatriation of the body to Switzerland is also a top priority."

Tehran notified Swiss authorities on Thursday of the man's death. The Swiss foreign ministry described him as a 64-year-old who had been travelling in Iran as a tourist.

He had been living in southern Africa and had not been resident in Switzerland for almost two decades, it added. It did not release his name.

The Swiss embassy in Tehran had sought access to the man in prison after his arrest, the ministry added.

Iran denied the request because the charges against him related to espionage and national security, it said.

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 week.

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.