SG Court Stays Nagaenthran’s Execution After COVID-19 Infection, Last-Resort Appeal Unsuccessful
![](https://media.juiceonline.com/2021/11/naga.jpeg)
![](https://media.juiceonline.com/2021/11/naga.jpeg)
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.
![](https://media.juiceonline.com/2021/11/judge-.jpeg)
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.
![Juice WhatsApp banner](https://media.juiceonline.com/2024/05/Artboard-1.png)