The story appears on

Page A11

July 20, 2010

GET this page in PDF

Free for subscribers

View shopping cart

Related News

Home » World

Singapore arrests author on justice


SINGAPOREAN police said yesterday they arrested a British author as part of a criminal defamation investigation related to his book on the city-state's death penalty policy.

Alan Shadrake, 75, was in Singapore to promote the book and was arrested on Sunday, police said.

He hosted an event the day before promoting "Once a Jolly Hangman: Singapore Justice in the Dock."

Police said they arrested Shadrake based on a complaint by the government's Media Development Authority and were investigating him for other offenses. They declined to give details.

The attorney-general's office is also seeking contempt of court charges against Shadrake because statements in the book allegedly impugn the impartiality, integrity and independence of the judiciary, a spokeswoman said. She spoke anonymously in line with office policy.

The contempt of court charges will be heard by a judge at the country's High Court on July 30.

A flier promoting the book says it "cuts through the facade of official silence to reveal disturbing truths about Singapore's use of the death penalty," and "reveals the cruelty and imprudence of an entire judicial system."

The media authority said yesterday it had not banned the book's sale in Singapore.

Singapore's leaders have sued journalists and political opponents several times in past years for alleged defamation.




 

Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.

沪公网安备 31010602000204号

Email this to your friend