SG Court Stays Nagaenthran’s Execution After COVID-19 Infection, Last-Resort Appeal Unsuccessful

By Quinny Tan  •  09 Nov 2021 in News

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The postponement of Nagaenthran K. Dharmalingam‘s execution was due to a last-resort appeal after news broke on his 11-year long death sentence.

Seriously, what is #Singapore’s rush? Telling a lawyer to submit a notice of appeal by 6:30pm today, then scheduling the appeal hearing for 2:30pm tomorrow? Why so committed to executing a vulnerable man on the 10th? https://t.co/SHknCPtYWD

— Kirsten Han 韩俐颖 (@kixes) November 8, 2021

.@nsurendrann, Nagen’s Malaysian counsel, says the Court of Appeal directed that written submissions and affidavits be filed by 10am tomorrow ahead of the 2:30pm hearing. “No lawyer can be reasonably expected to file written submissions and prepare and file affidavits overnight.”

— Kirsten Han 韩俐颖 (@kixes) November 8, 2021

Yesterday’s announcement of the delay felt like a small win for all standing by his side, and an appeal was scheduled to happen at 2:30pm this afternoon.

However, things remained silent until it was recently reported that Nagaenthran had tested positive for Covid-19, meaning that the last-resort appeal could not go through.

Nagaenthran has tested positive for covid. Hearing is adjourned to another day due to this. #SaveNagaenthran

— Jolovan Wham (@jolovanwham) November 9, 2021

He was originally scheduled to be hanged on Wednesday after losing a series of appeals, despite mounting international outrage and supporters’ claims his intellectual disability means he can’t make rational decisions.

The execution was put on hold after a last-resort appeal was lodged, with the Court of Appeal due to hear the challenge Tuesday.

But before the hearing could start, Judge Andrew Phang Boon Leong told the court that Nagaenthran had contracted Covid-19.

“We have to issue a stay of execution,” he said. There was no immediate indication of how long the stay would last for.

The case has attracted international attention, with our own prime minister, a group of U.N. experts and British billionaire Richard Branson among those who have called on Singapore to commute Nagaenthran’s death sentence.