April 26, 2023
2 mins read

Singapore hangs Tamil man for cannabis smuggling

Suppiah was convicted of abetting by engaging in a conspiracy to traffic 1,017.9 g of cannabis from Malaysia to Singapore in 2013, and sentenced to death in 2018….reports Asian Lite News

Singapore on Wednesday executed a 46-year-old Tamil man convicted of conspiracy to smuggle 1 kg of cannabis, ignoring pleas from the family, activists and the UN to reconsider capital punishment.

Tangaraju Suppiah was hanged at Changi Prison at dawn, the BBC reported quoting his family members.

A day before the execution, a Singapore court dismissed an application by Suppiah to have his case reviewed.

“The family said they weren’t going to give up on him right until the end. It has been such a harrowing experience for them,” anti-death penalty activist Kirsten Han told the BBC on Wednesday.

“They still have a lot of unresolved questions about his case, and the evidence against him.”

Suppiah was convicted of abetting by engaging in a conspiracy to traffic 1,017.9 g of cannabis from Malaysia to Singapore in 2013, and sentenced to death in 2018.

The move came even as the UN Human Rights Office had asked Singapore on Tuesday to “urgently reconsider” the capital punishment.

Tamil man to be executed in Singapore over Cannabis charge: Report

Stating that Suppiah was convicted on weak evidence, anti-death penalty activists said he was not given adequate access to an interpreter and had to argue his last appeal on his own since his family was unable to secure a lawyer.

Slamming the execution, British billionaire Richard Branson said that Singapore “may be about to kill an innocent man” on the back of “more than dubious circumstances”.

Singapore’s Home Affairs Ministry said on Tuesday that Tangaraju’s guilt had been proven beyond a reasonable doubt, adding that Branson’s comments showed “disrespect” for Singapore’s judges and criminal justice system.

Suppiah’s execution was the first to be carried out by Singapore after a gap of six months.

The city-state, which has some of the world’s toughest anti-drug laws, awarded 11 capital punishments in 2022.

The Singaporean government says that the death penalty is an effective deterrent against drug crimes and that it is widely supported by the public.

ALSO READ: Historic ferry link rekindles Indian-Lankan Tamils ties

Previous Story

Indian-American lawmaker criticises talk of ‘Hinduphobia’

Next Story

China’s defence minister to visit Delhi for SCO meet

Latest from -Top News

‘Kill and Dump’ Haunts Balochistan Again

The latest killings have reignited accusations of extrajudicial executions and the use of counterterrorism laws to cover up custodial deaths in Balochistan….reports Asian Lite News Concerns have deepened across Balochistan following the

‘ASEAN Expands, But Keeps Its Soul’

Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan urged ASEAN to uphold its unity and strategic resolve amid intensifying geopolitical tensions and mounting external pressures…reports Asian Lite News Consensus and inclusivity will remain the cornerstones

Bangladesh bends to beat Trump’s blow

Dhaka seeks compromise as Trump’s 35% tariff looms large over key exports; Washington urges worker protections, factory relocation to US…reports Asian Lite News Bangladesh has opened the second round of critical trade

China seethes as US lands F-35s in PH

As US F-35 jets land in the Philippines for the first time, Manila cements its frontline role in Washington’s power play against rising China….reports Asian Lite News The Philippines is rapidly cementing
Go toTop

Don't Miss

India, Singapore bilateral maritime exercise concludes

The Commanding Officers of the Indian Navy contingent also paid

Singapore shuts door to Indian visitors

This move takes effect from 11.59 p.m. on Friday, and