Singapore is known for having some of the strictest anti-narcotics laws in the world, with the death penalty being a possible outcome for trafficking over 500 grams of cannabis.
According to a spokesperson from the prison service of Singapore, a 36-year-old Singaporean man was executed today at Changi Prison Complex.
In a separate statement, the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) of Singapore mentioned that they would respect the family’s privacy and therefore refrain from disclosing the man’s name.
The CNB also stated that the individual received fair treatment in accordance with the law and was provided legal representation throughout the entire process.
Despite a last-minute attempt to appeal the case and halt the execution, the plea for a review was rejected on Tuesday, as confirmed by Annamalai.
Despite increasing global pressure to abolish the death penalty, Singapore maintains its stance that it serves as an effective deterrent against drug trafficking.
The execution carried out on Wednesday marks the second in Singapore this year, following the hanging of Tangaraju Suppiah on April 26, who was convicted of conspiring to smuggle a kilogram of cannabis.
Since Singapore resumed executions in March 2022, after a hiatus of over two years, a total of thirteen individuals on death row have been hanged.
Tangaraju Suppiah’s execution drew international criticism, with human rights organizations highlighting “significant flaws” in the case. However, the Singapore government asserted that his guilt had been established beyond a reasonable doubt.
Activists continue to advocate for the abolition of capital punishment in Singapore, emphasizing that it lacks empirical evidence of its deterrent effect on crime.
Amnesty International’s executive director for Malaysia, Katrina Jorene Maliamauv, reiterated the global call to the Singapore government to cease executions and commute all existing death sentences during a press conference in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.
One notable execution last year involved Nagaenthran K. Dharmalingam, whose case sparked international condemnation due to his recognized mental disability.