Singapore stays execution of Indian-origin Malaysian

Singapore, November 8

A Singapore court on Monday suspended the scheduled execution of a 33-year-old Indian-origin Malaysian man, convicted for drug trafficking, until an appeal is heard amid global calls to spare the man from the gallows.

Nagaenthran K Dharmalingam, believed to be mentally disabled, was to be hanged at Changi Prison for drug trafficking on Wednesday. On Monday, Singapore’s High Court suspended his scheduled execution until an appeal is heard during an online hearing, a website reported. “The HC has just ordered a stay of execution,” Nagaenthran’s lawyer M Ravi posted on Facebook.

The appeal is scheduled to be heard via videoconference on Tuesday. If the appeal is dismissed, Nagaenthran could be executed as scheduled. Nagaenthran was 21 when he was arrested in 2009 for trafficking drugs at Woodlands checkpoint on a causeway link between Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia with a bundle of drugs strapped to his thigh.

He was convicted and sentenced to death in November 2010 for importing 42.72 grams of heroin in 2009.

The Misuse of Drugs Act provides for the death sentence where the amount of heroin imported is more than 15 grams.

The case came under the spotlight late last month when the Singapore Prison Service wrote to Nagaenthran’s mother on October 26, informing her that the death sentence on her son would be carried out on November 10. — PTI

Arrested in 2009

• Nagaenthran K Dharmalingam, then 21, was arrested in 2009 for trafficking drugs between Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia
• Believed to be mentally disabled, he was to be hanged at Changi Prison for drug trafficking on Wednesday

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