Police in Switzerland made multiple arrests after a woman reportedly ended her life using a so-called suicide pod, in apparently the first case of its kind.
Police in the Schaffhausen region said they arrested “several persons” on suspicion of inciting, and aiding and abetting suicide after she died reportedly by using a pod made by the company Sarco on Monday.
While assisted dying is legally protected in some circumstances in Switzerland, it is strictly regulated and the Sarco pod has encountered opposition.
Officers recovered the device and body at the scene.
The company behind the controversial Sarco pod claims it allows individuals to independently end their lives without medical supervision. Police reported that the device was used on Monday in a secluded area of Merishausen, Switzerland, located near the German border. Authorities were alerted by a law firm about a suicide involving the device. The identities of those involved have not been released, including the deceased.
The Sarco device, which advocates say offers a drug-free alternative for assisted dying, is also promoted for its ability to be 3D-printed and assembled privately, providing a more accessible option for those seeking euthanasia. Despite the country’s progressive stance on assisted dying, there has been significant opposition. Critics argue that the device’s modern design could trivialize the gravity of suicide, and the absence of medical oversight raises concerns.
While assisted dying remains illegal in the UK and much of Europe, Switzerland has long been a destination for those seeking to end their lives, with thousands traveling there for this purpose over the years.
