The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Thu, August 11, 2022 | 12:23
Asia
Singapore hangs drug trafficker in resumption of executions
Posted : 2022-03-30 15:13
Updated : 2022-03-30 03:04
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
                                                                                                 A Merlion statue with the business district of Singapore in the background, Sep. 21, 2019. Abdul Kahar Othman, 68, who had been on death row for drug trafficking was hanged March 30, in the first execution in the city-state in over two years, rights activists said. AP-Yonhap
A Merlion statue with the business district of Singapore in the background, Sep. 21, 2019. Abdul Kahar Othman, 68, who had been on death row for drug trafficking was hanged March 30, in the first execution in the city-state in over two years, rights activists said. AP-Yonhap

A Singaporean man on death row for drug trafficking was hanged Wednesday in the first execution in the city-state in over two years, rights activists said.

Singapore, which has harsh anti-drug laws, had halted executions due to the COVID-19 pandemic and last meted out capital punishment in November 2019.

Abdul Kahar Othman, 68, was hanged early Wednesday, anti-death penalty activist Kirsten Han said. The execution occurred despite pleas from rights activists, including the U.N. Human Rights office, to commute Kahar's sentence to life imprisonment. Han and several others held a small vigil outside the prison late Tuesday for Kahar.

Kahar, who came from a poor family and had struggled with drug addiction since he was a teenager, spent more time behind bars than as a free man, Han said. He was released from prison in 2005 after a decade of preventive detention. In 2013, Kahar was convicted of drug trafficking and sentenced to death two years later.

Kahar's incarcerations without proper rehabilitation had made it difficult for him to walk new paths, Han said.

Han, along with the U.N. and other rights groups, have expressed concerns that executions might be accelerated in the city-state after a two-year halt.

Transformative Justice Collective, a group working for the reform of Singapore's criminal justice system, said the families of seven other death row prisoners have recently received execution notices. Their cases were postponed due to legal appeals.

A Malaysian man with a mental disability may be next in line after he lost a final appeal Tuesday against his death sentence.

Nagaenthran K. Dharmalingam has been on death row since 2010 for trying to smuggle less than 43 grams (1.5 ounces) of heroin into Singapore. At an earlier court hearing, his IQ was revealed to be 69 ― a level internationally recognized as an intellectual disability, but the court ruled Nagaenthran knew what he was doing by violating Singapore's harsh anti-drug laws.

Rights groups have urged Singapore President Halimah Yacob to pardon Nagaenthran or commute his sentence. Malaysia's leader, European Union representatives and global figures such as British business magnate Richard Branson have also joined calls for Nagaenthran's life to be spared. (AP)

 
LG
  • Korea urged to take preemptive steps to deal with climate change-induced disasters
  • What Seoul's worst rainfall in 115 years looked like
  • Musinsa's new store becomes hot spot in southern Seoul
  • Flood damage to vehicles during torrential rain to hit insurers
  • 'Children must play right now'
  • Bill Gates expected to meet with top business leaders in Korea
  • Seoul reiterates that '3 Nos' policy is not commitment to China
  • Han River sunset cruise: Seoul's new tourist focal point
  • [INTERVIEW] Polish arms deal may well lead to greater opportunities for Korea: expert
  • Retailers slash product prices to draw consumers as inflation soars
  • Interactive News
  • With tough love,
  • 'Santa dogs' help rebuild burnt forests in Andong
  • 'Santa dogs' help rebuild burnt forests in Andong
  • A tale of natural wine
    • BLACKPINK to start world tour in October BLACKPINK to start world tour in October
    • [INTERVIEW] Im Si-wan finds own narrative for villain role in 'Emergency Declaration' [INTERVIEW] Im Si-wan finds own narrative for villain role in 'Emergency Declaration'
    • 'Free Chol Soo Lee': How young Korean immigrant's wrongful conviction led to pan Asian American resistance movement 'Free Chol Soo Lee': How young Korean immigrant's wrongful conviction led to pan Asian American resistance movement
    • 'Good Doctor' director to debut Netflix's high-strung suspense series, 'A Model Family' 'Good Doctor' director to debut Netflix's high-strung suspense series, 'A Model Family'
    • Musical 'Kinky Boots' tells people to love themselves as they are Musical 'Kinky Boots' tells people to love themselves as they are
    DARKROOM
    • Ice is melting, land is burning

      Ice is melting, land is burning

    • Tottenham 6-3 Team K League

      Tottenham 6-3 Team K League

    • Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

      Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

    • Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

      Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

    • Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

      Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

    The Korea Times
    CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
    Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
    Tel : 02-724-2114
    Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
    Date of registration : 2020.02.05
    Masthead : The Korea Times
    Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
    • About Us
    • Introduction
    • History
    • Location
    • Media Kit
    • Contact Us
    • Products & Service
    • Subscribe
    • E-paper
    • Mobile Service
    • RSS Service
    • Content Sales
    • Policy
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms of Service
    • 고충처리인
    • Youth Protection Policy
    • Code of Ethics
    • Copyright Policy
    • Family Site
    • Hankook Ilbo
    • Dongwha Group