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Singapore’s highest court delays execution for Malaysian drug trafficker Nagaenthran K. Dharmalingam after he tests positive for Covid-19
- Execution by hanging had been due on Wednesday, but court hearing last ditch appeal suspends proceedings due to infection
- The case of Nagaenthran, who has an IQ of 69, has attracted international attention, including from Virgin boss Richard Branson
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Singapore’s highest court granted a stay of execution for a Malaysian man, whom campaigners say is mentally disabled, after he tested positive for Covid-19.
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The Court of Appeal had been due to hear at 2.30pm on Tuesday a case that was a last-ditch attempt to save Nagaenthran K. Dharmalingam, 33, from the gallows. His execution had been scheduled for Wednesday.
Instead, Justice Andrew Phang Boon Leong said Nagaenthran’s legal challenge could not proceed because of his infection and his execution would be stayed until it was concluded. He said: “If the prisoner has been afflicted with Covid-19 … I think it’s our view that the execution can’t take place anyway.”
Phang said the court had to use “logic, common sense and humanity”. Phang is one of the appeal judges alongside Justices Judith Prakash and Kannan Ramesh.
The Court of Appeal will fix another date for the hearing.
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