Italy sees first assisted suicide

An Italian man, paralyzed 12 years ago in a traffic accident, died on Thursday in Italy's first case of assisted suicide, according to an association that has long campaigned for legal euthanasia, Report informs, citing Daily Mail.

Federico Carboni, 44, died with his family at his bedside after administrating the lethal medicines himself via a specially designed machine.

"I don't deny that I regret saying goodbye to life," he was quoted as saying by the Luca Coscioni Association, which helped him overcome resistance from courts and health authorities.

"I did everything I could to live as best as I could and try to make the most of my disability, but I am now at the end of my tether, both mentally and physically," Carboni said.

Italy's Constitutional Court opened the way for assisted suicide in 2019 in the face of fierce opposition from conservative parties and the Roman Catholic Church but said local health authorities had to review and approve each request.

Carboni finally obtained permission to receive the lethal medicines last November after winning two court cases and overcoming an initial refusal by health officials.

It is also legal in Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Spain.