Swiss authorities have arrested multiple individuals following the first use of a controversial futuristic capsule designed for assisted suicide. The capsule, known as “Sarco,” was deployed in a wooded area of Merishausen in the Schaffhausen canton on Monday.
Prosecutors in Schaffhausen have initiated criminal proceedings against several people for “inducing and aiding and abetting suicide,” according to a police statement. While details about the individuals involved and the deceased have not been disclosed, it was confirmed that the individual who died was a 64-year-old American woman suffering from a severely compromised immune system.
Florian Willet, co-president of The Last Resort, the group behind the Sarco capsule, was among four detainees, which included a Dutch journalist and two Swiss individuals. Willet was the only other person present when the woman ended her life. In a statement, he described the death as “peaceful, fast, and dignified.” The Last Resort confirmed that the woman had passed psychiatric evaluations before proceeding with assisted suicide.
The Sarco capsule, designed by Australian physician Philip Nitschke, operates by releasing nitrogen gas that lowers oxygen levels to lethal levels, leading to death. Switzerland has become a focal point for assisted suicide advocates due to its permissive laws, and The Last Resort asserted that they had received legal advice permitting the capsule’s use.
However, the capsule has sparked considerable media attention and debate regarding its legality. Elisabeth Baume-Schneider, the Swiss health minister, stated on Monday that the capsule does not comply with product safety laws, particularly regarding its use of nitrogen.