Authorities in Schaffhausen canton, Switzerland, have confirmed the arrest of several individuals following reports of assisted suicides involving a 'suicide capsule.' The arrests came after a tip-off suggested that individuals were aided in ending their lives in a cabin located in Merishausen.
An investigation is currently underway to determine potential charges of incitement and accessory to suicide. The incidents are believed to be linked to the use of a Sarco-brand suicide capsule, developed by the pro-euthanasia group Exit International based in the Netherlands.
Exit International has taken responsibility for the alleged incidents, stating that an elderly U.S. citizen suffering from a severe immune disease chose to end her life using the Sarco pod. This marks the first reported use of the Sarco capsule, which is described as an airtight cabin offering a 'quick, peaceful, and reliable death' through the use of nitrogen gas.
Switzerland, known for legalizing assisted dying in 1941, has strict regulations in place regarding euthanasia. Patients must carry out the final act themselves without external assistance and must be mentally competent. Individuals providing assistance must do so out of altruistic motives.
Dr. Philip Nitschke, the founder of Exit International, expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Sarco capsule, emphasizing its ability to provide a peaceful death at the individual's chosen time. The capsule, which fills with nitrogen gas to induce sleep before causing suffocation, was showcased at the Venice Design Festival in 2019.
As the investigation continues, Swiss authorities are expected to carefully consider the legal implications of these assisted suicides and the use of the Sarco capsule. The case raises ethical questions surrounding end-of-life choices and the boundaries of assisted dying in a country with a long history of accommodating such practices.
