Swiss court allows prosecutors access to suicide capsule study materials

Swiss prosecutors can access a study on the Sarco suicide capsule after a Federal Tribunal ruling. The court determined that lawyers who advised the assisted-suicide organization The Last Resort cannot claim professional secrecy. This decision overturns previous rulings by a cantonal court that had blocked prosecutors from accessing a USB drive, laptops, and mobile phones belonging to an attorney and their assistant.

The case centers on an investigation by the Schaffhausen public prosecutor's office. The prosecutors sought access to documents related to the Sarco capsule, a device designed for assisted suicide. The cantonal court had initially sided with the legal team, stating that the two individuals were acting as legal representatives and thus protected by professional privilege.

However, the Federal Tribunal disagreed, classifying the legal advisors as "suspects" rather than legal representatives in this context. This reclassification is critical, as it removes the shield of professional secrecy. The ruling means the Schaffhausen prosecutor's office can now obtain the study, which is expected to provide crucial information for their investigation into The Last Resort.