This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/01/philip-nitschke-to-speak-to-police-over-suicide-death-of-terminally-ill-man

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Philip Nitschke speaks to police over suicide death of terminally ill man Philip Nitschke's phone seized by police investigating terminally ill man's death
(about 1 hour later)
Police investigating the death of a terminally ill man who took his own life have interviewed Philip Nitschke, but the euthanasia campaigner has not been charged. Euthanasia campaigner Philip Nitschke says he feels “pretty violated” after police seized his phones, computers and other items as part of an investigation into the death of a terminally ill man.
Nitschke was accompanied by his lawyer, Michael Woods, when he was interviewed on Friday by South Australian detectives investigating the death of Max Bromson. Nitschke was accompanied by his lawyer, Michael Woods, when he was interviewed by police investigating the death of Max Bromson, who took his own life early on Monday.
Woods told reporters no charges have been laid and would not comment on whether it would happen in the future. Nitschke told reporters no charges were laid, but “we are just waiting until they make the next step”.
Bromson, who ran for the Senate last year for the Voluntary Euthanasia party, died on Monday morning in a motel room in Glenelg surrounded by family members. Bromson, who ran for the senate last year for the Voluntary Euthanasia Party, died in a Glenelg motel room surrounded by family members.
The former businessman, who suffered from a rare and terminal form of bone cancer, said he lived with chronic, excruciating pain and wanted the right to end his life peacefully at the appropriate time.The former businessman, who suffered from a rare and terminal form of bone cancer, said he lived with chronic, excruciating pain and wanted the right to end his life peacefully at the appropriate time.
Nitschke has said Bromson took an imported drug which had been tested at Exit International laboratory in Adelaide. Nitschke has said Bromson took an imported drug which had been tested at Exit International laboratory at Gilberton in Adelaide.
Before he met the detectives, Nitschke said he would be co-operating in every way with the police. He said detectives took his phone at the interview and told him police were at the Gilberton premises.
After police were notified of the death, detectives confiscated the family’s mobile phones, electronic devices and laptop computers. He returned to the address with his lawyer as police spent about three hours searching the premises before taking “a lot of items” including laptops.
They are determining whether any criminal offence involving assisting a suicide had been committed. “The infrastructure of the organisation has been crippled by this,” he said, describing the police actions as unnecessary and heavy-handed.
Last week, Nitschke was suspended by the Medical Board of Australia, which ruled he posed “a serious risk to the health and safety of the public”. “I feel pretty violated.”
After police were notified of the death, detectives confiscated the family’s mobile phones, tablets and laptop computers.
Nitschke said he had been told it could be up to two years before the property was returned.
Police are investigating whether any criminal offence involving assisting in a suicide had been committed.
Last week, Nitschke was suspended by the Medical Board of Australia which ruled he posed “a serious risk to the health and safety of the public”.
• Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.• Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.