Singapore court rejects Malaysian man’s final appeal against execution

KUALA LUMPUR: Singapore’s prime courtroom rejected on Tuesday a last-ditch attraction by a Malaysian man in opposition to his demise sentence, dismissing his authorized group’s argument that he has an mental incapacity.

Nagaenthran Ok. Dharmalingam, 34, was sentenced to demise in 2010 after trafficking practically 43 grams of heroin in a bundle strapped to his thigh into Singapore, which has among the world’s strictest drug legal guidelines. His execution was stayed in November final yr amid strain from worldwide rights teams, Malaysia’s prime minister, and the EU.

Dharmalingam’s protection had filed one other attraction, saying that he had studying disabilities and that with an IQ of 69 — a stage acknowledged as a incapacity — he was not able to correct decision-making. This meant that beneath worldwide regulation he couldn’t be executed. That they had additionally requested an unbiased psychiatric analysis.

The Singapore Court docket of Enchantment stated the attraction had “no factual and authorized foundation” and that Dharmalingam’s protection had put “nothing ahead to counsel that he has a case.”

M. Ravi, a former member of Dharmalingam’s authorized group in Singapore, advised Arab Information that the choice was “completely stunning.” Singapore is a signatory to the Conference on the Rights of Individuals with Disabilities. “He was not given a chance (to be examined) by his psychiatrist. The courtroom stated there is no such thing as a medical proof,” he stated. “It is a severe violation of worldwide regulation. I might ask for the Malaysian authorities to take this matter to the worldwide courtroom of justice and ask for an interim keep instantly.”

Dharmalingam’s Malaysian lawyer, N. Surendran, stated the courtroom made the ruling with out contemplating his shopper’s medical data. “That they didn’t even permit an unbiased psychiatric evaluation reveals that there is no such thing as a equity or impartiality within the courtroom’s dealing with of the matter,” he stated.

His sister advised Arab Information the household is now hoping that his attraction for a pardon, supported by a number of rights teams, would succeed. “We attraction to the general public to induce the Singapore authorities to grant him this, we hope our prayers come true,” Sharmila Dharmalingam stated. “Our solely hope is clemency.”

The case has put a highlight on Singapore’s use of capital punishment and zero-tolerance drug legal guidelines. Rights group Amnesty Worldwide has condemned the courtroom’s choice.

Brian Yap, Amnesty Worldwide’s Malaysia researcher, stated it was excessive time for the Singaporean authorities to behave and “cease a grave travesty of justice from happening and finish its inhumane, shameful technique of utilizing the demise penalty to handle drug-related issues.”