Several people have been arrested in Switzerland after an American woman used a suicide capsule on Monday, September 23, a sort of sarcophagus that allows people to take their own lives without the help of a doctor, police announced on Tuesday. “The Schaffhausen cantonal public prosecutor's office has opened criminal proceedings against several people for incitement and assistance to suicide and several people have been taken into custody.”according to a statement from the police of the canton, located in northern Switzerland.
The cantonal prosecutor's office was informed on Monday by a law firm “than an assisted suicide using the Sarco capsule [pour sarcophage] had taken place in a forest cabin in Merishausen in the afternoon”the police explained. “The Sarco suicide capsule was seized and [le corps de la] deceased person was transported (…) for an autopsy »the police also said. According to Swiss media, this is the first time that this capsule has been used.
“Monday, September 23, around 4:01 p.m. [heure de Paris]a 64-year-old woman from the American Midwest, died while using the Sarco device »reported The Last Resort, the association that promotes this device, in a press release published after the police announced the arrests. The association adds that this woman “had suffered for many years from a number of serious problems related to a severe immune deficiency”.
“Not in accordance with the law”
Invented by Australian Philip Nitschke, a former doctor known for his controversial positions on the end of life, this capsule takes the form of a mini-cabin in which the person who wishes to end their life must lie down. They must then answer a series of questions to confirm that they understand what they are doing before pressing a button themselves that releases nitrogen. They must lose consciousness after a few breaths and die after a few minutes, according to The Last Resort.
In July, its promoters presented this device, saying they wanted to use it for the first time in Switzerland, which caused a stir. Assisted suicide is permitted in this country, but with the assistance of a doctor. However, the association announced at the end of July that the person who was to be the first to use it, an American woman in her fifties, had been ruled out due to the deterioration of her mental state.
On Monday, Swiss Interior Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider said during a question and answer session in the House of Representatives that this “Sarco suicide capsule is not in accordance with the law”. First of all, she doesn't answer. “to the requirements concerning the law on product safety”. In addition, the use of nitrogen inside this capsule is not “not compatible” with the aim of the chemicals law, the minister explained.
Fiona Stewart, a lawyer and member of The Last Resort's advisory board, said Tuesday that the association had “always acted on the basis of the legal advice of his lawyers”. “Since 2021, the latter have always considered that the use of “Sarco” in Switzerland was legal”the organization emphasizes in its press release.
Co-President of The Last Resort, Florian Willet “was the only person present at the time of death” and described the American's death as “peaceful, fast and dignified”.
Source: Lemonde
