Switzerland BANS ‘suicide capsule’ dubbed the ‘Tesla of euthanasia’ set to ‘be used for the first time this month’, threatens to prosecute euthanasia advocate

A “death capsule” designed to assist suicide has been banned by Swiss prosecutors, just weeks before it was due to be used for the first time.

According to the company behind the Sarco, Exit Switzerland, the euthanasia patient inside could press a button and die “within seconds.”

The suitcase, which looks like something out of a science fiction movie and has been called the “Tesla of euthanasia,” is filled with nitrogen to deprive the occupant of the trunk of oxygen, causing the patient to become unconscious before dying.

Its inventor, controversial euthanasia advocate Dr. Philip Nitschke, claims his invention could allow users to die quickly and painlessly.

But now prosecutors in the Swiss canton of Schaffhausen have warned that anyone who helps someone use the pods could face up to five years in prison, Swiss media reported. reports.

An early version of the Sarco Pod, which can be operated internally and works by lowering the oxygen level. No one has used it yet. The final prototype is in the final stages of preparation

Australian euthanasia activist Philip Nitschke, the man behind Sarco

Public prosecutor Peter Sticher warned of “serious consequences” for Nitschke for “inciting and complicity in suicide for selfish reasons.”

Sticher wrote in a letter obtained by Swiss media: ‘There is no reliable information about the method of murder.

‘(It is) completely unclear who has control over which mechanical process during the dying process.’

According to the Public Prosecution Service, it is impossible to determine who is responsible for the murder under Article 115 of the Cantonal Criminal Code. That is why they have blocked the introduction of the device.

The ban came after Nitschke revealed on an online forum on June 10 that Sarco would be sent to Switzerland “within weeks.”

He said, ‘The machine can be dragged anywhere to prevent death.

‘This could be, for example, at an idyllic outdoor location, or on the grounds of an organisation that offers assistance with suicide.’

While the Australian researcher claims his device gives people the chance to end their lives in a “peaceful” way, pro-life groups warn the sleek, futuristic-looking pods “glorify suicide”.

Sources told Swiss media that Exit Switzerland has largely completed preparations for the introduction of the pods and that a candidate for the first euthanasia has been selected.

It is unclear who the patient is, and Dr. Nitschke and his team have neither confirmed nor denied the reports.

In an interview with MailOnline last year, Dr Nitschke explained how his invention works.

‘The person climbs into the machine, is asked three questions and answers verbally: ‘Who are you?’, ‘Where are you?’ and ‘Do you know what happens if you press the button?’

‘And when they answer those questions verbally, the software turns on the power and the button can be pressed.

‘And if they press the button, they die very quickly.

Australian euthanasia advocate Philip Nitschke is a former physician and head of the voluntary euthanasia campaign Exit International

“When you climb into Sarco, the oxygen level is 21 percent, but after you press the button, it takes 30 seconds for the oxygen level to drop to less than 1 percent,” he said.

The doctor’s plans to use Sarco for the first time have sparked outrage from pro-life organizations, including CARE.

James Mildred, director of engagement, said: ‘Philip Nitschke’s plan has been condemned by a wide range of commentators.

‘Many people feel that this trivializes or even glorifies suicide.

“We believe that suicide is a tragedy that good societies try to prevent under all circumstances. There are ethical ways to help people that do not involve the destruction of life.”

The makers of Sarco reported in 2021 that the drug had passed legal scrutiny in Switzerland. There, assisted suicide is legal and hundreds of people use the services of organizations such as Dignitas and Exit (a separate group from Dr. Nitschke’s) every year.

But Kerstin Noëlle Vokinger, a professor of law and medicine at the University of Zurich, said earlier that Sarco may need to be certified under the country’s Medical Devices Act, but that is not the case.

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