Arrests Made After 'Suicide Pod' Death
Swiss police have arrested multiple individuals following the death of an American woman who utilized a controversial suicide device. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Swiss police have arrested several individuals following the death of an American woman who used the controversial Sarco pod, often referred to as the 'suicide capsule.' This incident marks the first documented use of the device.
The Sarco, which is short for sarcophagus, is a 3D-printed capsule designed for single-person operation. The user can enter the coffin-like structure, lie down, and activate a button. The capsule then rapidly reduces oxygen levels while introducing nitrogen, leading to death by hypoxia.
The Schaffhausen police department revealed in a statement that the capsule was used illegally in the woods of the Merishausen municipality on Monday. As a result, prosecutors have initiated criminal proceedings against multiple individuals suspected of “inducing and aiding and abetting suicide.”
A representative from the Last Resort group, responsible for the pod's use, explained that a 64-year-old American woman utilized the device after enduring a severely compromised immune system. The representative noted that prior to her death, the woman recorded an audio message expressing her wish to die and successfully passed a psychiatric evaluation.
The spokesperson indicated that four individuals have been arrested following the event, including the group's co-president, Florian Willet, a Dutch journalist, and two Swiss nationals. It was specified that Willet was the only person present during the woman's passing.
In a statement from The Last Resort, Willet characterized the woman’s death as “peaceful, fast and dignified.”
Philip Nitschke, the inventor of the Sarco pod, who observed the incident remotely from Germany, conveyed to Dutch media that the procedure “went well,” stating it proceeded “exactly as we expected.”
“When she got into the Sarco, she immediately pressed the button. She didn’t say anything. She really wanted to die,” remarked Nitschke, who is also the president of the Exit International pro-euthanasia organization.
Switzerland is among the few countries where assisted suicide is legal, albeit under specific circumstances. In July, the Swiss government explicitly prohibited the use of the Sarco pod, citing insufficient reliable information regarding the method. Prosecutors cautioned Exit Switzerland that deploying the device could result in “serious legal consequences,” including potential prison sentences of up to five years.
Ramin Sohrabi for TROIB News
The Sarco, which is short for sarcophagus, is a 3D-printed capsule designed for single-person operation. The user can enter the coffin-like structure, lie down, and activate a button. The capsule then rapidly reduces oxygen levels while introducing nitrogen, leading to death by hypoxia.
The Schaffhausen police department revealed in a statement that the capsule was used illegally in the woods of the Merishausen municipality on Monday. As a result, prosecutors have initiated criminal proceedings against multiple individuals suspected of “inducing and aiding and abetting suicide.”
A representative from the Last Resort group, responsible for the pod's use, explained that a 64-year-old American woman utilized the device after enduring a severely compromised immune system. The representative noted that prior to her death, the woman recorded an audio message expressing her wish to die and successfully passed a psychiatric evaluation.
The spokesperson indicated that four individuals have been arrested following the event, including the group's co-president, Florian Willet, a Dutch journalist, and two Swiss nationals. It was specified that Willet was the only person present during the woman's passing.
In a statement from The Last Resort, Willet characterized the woman’s death as “peaceful, fast and dignified.”
Philip Nitschke, the inventor of the Sarco pod, who observed the incident remotely from Germany, conveyed to Dutch media that the procedure “went well,” stating it proceeded “exactly as we expected.”
“When she got into the Sarco, she immediately pressed the button. She didn’t say anything. She really wanted to die,” remarked Nitschke, who is also the president of the Exit International pro-euthanasia organization.
Switzerland is among the few countries where assisted suicide is legal, albeit under specific circumstances. In July, the Swiss government explicitly prohibited the use of the Sarco pod, citing insufficient reliable information regarding the method. Prosecutors cautioned Exit Switzerland that deploying the device could result in “serious legal consequences,” including potential prison sentences of up to five years.
Ramin Sohrabi for TROIB News
