The suicide occurred near the town of Schaffhausen in northern Switzerland on Monday this week. The 64-year-old woman herself is said to have pressed the button inside the so-called “Sarco capsule” and thereby released nitrogen gas. The woman’s death was confirmed by doctor Philip Nitschke, the creator of the capsule, reports the AP news agency. Australian Nitschke has long been an internationally known advocate for the “Right to die movement”. Philip Nitschke has spent large sums on developing the “suicide capsule”. Photo: Denis Balibouse / Reuters Illegal in Switzerland The capsule has raised a number of legal and ethical questions in Switzerland. Active euthanasia is also illegal in Switzerland, but unassisted euthanasia has been legal for several decades. But only as long as the person takes their life without “external help” and those who help the person to die, do not do so for “any motive of their own income”. Last Monday, Interior Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider came out and stated that the capsule is not allowed to be used. – It is morbid The prosecution in the canton of Schaffhausen has also established that the use of the capsule is criminal and that it can result in imprisonment for five years. Dagen editor Vebjørn Selbekk. Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB Editor of the Christian newspaper Dagen, Vebjørn Selbekk, thinks it is terribly sad that this has happened. – I think it is morbid, and I am very skeptical of a future where this becomes common, says Selbekk to news. Schaffhausen is a city and a canton in northern Switzerland. Several are skeptical The police went into action after they learned that the American woman wanted to use the capsule to kill herself. A Dutch photographer from the newspaper deVolkskrant who was at the scene was also arrested, along with several others from “The Last Resort”. Nitschke’s machine is also controversial among others who fight for free euthanasia. – I can never vouch for an invention designed to be able to commit suicide without outside help. British doctor Stephen Duckworth wrote that in an article in the British newspaper Independent in 2021. Published 24/09/2024, at 18.47
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