Latest news with #Pannir
Malaysiakini
4 days ago
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
S'pore court reserves judgment on Pannir's post-appeal application
Malaysian death row inmate Pannir Selvam Pranthaman gained a reprieve when the Singapore Court of Appeal reserved its judgment, following the second hearing on his post-appeal application held on Wednesday. The Singapore Ministry of Home Affairs' policy on the scheduling of executions came under scrutiny during the proceedings, as Pannir's counsel and the Attorney-General's Chambers addressed the content of affidavits they submitted after the first hearing on May 7.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Yahoo
Singapore stays execution of Malaysian for second time
A Singapore court has stayed the execution of a Malaysian prisoner for the second time just hours before he was due to be hanged for drug trafficking on Thursday. Pannir Selvam Pranthaman, 37, had been scheduled for execution at the city-state's Changi Prison for trafficking 51.84 grams (1.83 ounces) of heroin, six years after he was first due to hang. However, a judge ordered a stay of execution late on Wednesday, citing the pending outcome of a complaint by Pannir to Singapore's law society against his former lawyer for alleged misconduct, court documents seen by AFP on Thursday showed. News of the reprieve came after relatives and anti-death penalty advocates staged an evening vigil in Malaysia on Wednesday, lighting candles in front of the Singaporean embassy in Kuala Lumpur. "It's a huge relief that Pannir wasn't executed this morning. But the fight isn't over, a stay is only temporary," Singapore activist Kirsten Han told AFP. "We need to continue pushing forward with the abolitionist movement. We urgently need a moratorium on the use of the death penalty in Singapore, and eventually full abolition," she said. It was the second time Pannir avoided the hangman's noose. He was scheduled to be hanged on May 24, 2019, after his conviction two years earlier but was granted a similar stay the day before. The United Nations and rights groups say capital punishment has no proven deterrent effect and have called for it to be abolished, but Singaporean officials insist it has helped make it one of Asia's safest countries. Under Singapore's tough drug laws, the death penalty applies for any amount above a 15-gram (0.53-ounce) threshold for heroin and 500 grams for cannabis. Singapore has executed three prisoners since the start of the year -- two for drug trafficking and one for a double murder. According to an AFP tally, Singapore has hanged 28 people, most of them drug traffickers, since it resumed carrying out the death penalty in March 2022 after a two-year halt during the Covid-19 pandemic. mba/jhe/pbt
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Malaysian drug mule gets stay of execution in Singapore
A Singapore court has granted a stay of execution to a Malaysian poet, just hours before he was set to be hanged for drug trafficking, after dozens of supporters held candlelight vigils in both countries to protest capital punishment. Pannir Selvam Pranthaman was arrested in 2014 for having 52 grams of heroin and sentenced to death three years later. He is due to be hanged on Thursday, making him the fourth person to be put to death in the Southeast Asian country this year after two others were executed for drug-related crimes and one for murder. Singapore anti-death penalty activist Kirsten Han said the Appeals Court allowed the stay of execution on the grounds that there is an ongoing constitutional challenge by other death row prisoners to a section under the drug law. Although Pannir is not involved, he has said in his plea the case could potentially impact his conviction. Another factor for the stay is Pannir's complaint to the Law Society of Singapore against his former lawyer, where he is the main witness, Han said. The court in its judgement allowed his bid to mount another appeal against his conviction. "This is a huge relief and very good news, but a stay of execution is not a complete stop," said Han. "What Singapore needs now is an immediate moratorium on the use of the death penalty, with a view to full abolition. Pannir lives tomorrow, but as Singaporeans we must keep fighting to make sure no one is killed in our names ever again." On the 6th of February, Amnesty International Malaysia and @ADPANetwork held a press conference to call on the Msian gov't to take immediate & decisive action on behalf of Malaysian national Pannir Selvam Pranthaman, and others who are at risk of execution in Singapore. — Amnesty International Malaysia (@AmnestyMy) February 7, 2025 Singapore's strict laws mandate the death penalty for anyone caught carrying more than 15 grams of heroin and 500 grams of cannabis. However, critics say the law only targets low-level traffickers and couriers. Pannir's family, his lawyers and various rights groups noted that the Singapore court had found that he was merely a courier transporting the substance. The 36-year-old has said he didn't know he was carrying drugs. Still, the court had to hand down the death sentence after prosecutors refused to issue Pannir a certificate of substantive assistance, vouching that he helped their investigation, which would have spared him the noose, they said. Malaysian lawmakers called on their government to intervene to halt Pannir's execution and have him extradited to facilitate further investigation. The Malaysian government, which recently scrapped the mandatory death penalty, didn't respond to media queries. "We oppose the use of the death penalty on drug mules who are themselves victims in the million-dollar transactions by syndicates that are roaming free," Malaysian lawmaker Ram Karpal Singh was quoted as saying by The Star newspaper. MEDIA STATEMENTFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEStay of Execution for Pannir Selvam: A Step Towards Compassion and JusticeWe welcome with immense relief the decision by the Singapore High Court to grant a stay of execution for Malaysian citizen Pannir Selvam Pranthaman, who was… — Yuneswaran Ramaraj (@r_yuneswaran) February 19, 2025 Pannir's last-minute reprieve was hailed by dozens of supporters attending a candlelight vigil at a park in Singapore. Holding placards and torchlights, they chanted "Justice for Pannir" and "Execution is not the solution." Dozens others gathered outside the Singapore High Commission in Kuala Lumpur for a similar vigil, singing songs and reading excerpts of poems and letters written by Pannir. Pannir, the third of six children, is the son of a church pastor who worked as a lorry driver to make ends meet, said another Singapore activist Kokila Annamalai. He loves music and played in the church band growing up, she said. In prison, Pannir has penned letters, songs and poems about the anguish of being on death row and hopes of a second chance, she said. His family has shared some of his songs, which were sung by several Malaysian singers.
The Independent
19-02-2025
- The Independent
Alleged Malaysian drugs trafficker gets last-minute stay of execution in Singapore
A Singapore court on Wednesday granted a stay of execution to a Malaysian man, just hours before he was set to be hanged for drug trafficking, rights activists said, after dozens of supporters held candlelight vigils in both countries to protest capital punishment. Pannir Selvam Pranthaman was arrested in 2014 for having 52 grams (about 1.8 ounces) of heroin and sentenced to death in 2017. He is due to be hanged on Thursday, making him the fourth person to be put to death in the Southeast Asian country this year after two others were executed for drug-related crimes and one for murder. Singapore anti-death penalty activist Kirsten Han said the Appeals Court allowed the stay of execution on the grounds that there is an ongoing constitutional challenge by other death row prisoners to a section under the drug law. Although Pannir is not involved, he has said in his plea the case could potentially impact his conviction. Another factor for the stay is Pannir's complaint to the Law Society of Singapore against his former lawyer, where he is the main witness, Han said. The court in its judgement allowed his bid to mount another appeal against his conviction. 'This is a huge relief and very good news, but a stay of execution is not a complete stop,' said Han. "What Singapore needs now is an immediate moratorium on the use of the death penalty, with a view to full abolition. Pannir lives tomorrow, but as Singaporeans we must keep fighting to make sure no one is killed in our names ever again.' Singapore's strict laws mandate the death penalty for anyone caught carrying more than 15 grams of heroin and 500 grams of cannabis. However, critics say the law only targets low-level traffickers and couriers. Pannir's family, his lawyers and various rights groups noted that the Singapore court had found that he was merely a courier transporting the substance. The 36-year-old has said he didn't know he was carrying drugs. Still, the court had to hand down the death sentence after prosecutors refused to issue Pannir a certificate of substantive assistance, vouching that he helped their investigation, which would have spared him the noose, they said. Vigils, songs and poems Malaysian lawmakers called on their government to intervene to halt Pannir's execution and have him extradited to facilitate further investigation. The Malaysian government, which recently scrapped the mandatory death penalty, didn't respond to media queries. 'We oppose the use of the death penalty on drug mules who are themselves victims in the million-dollar transactions by syndicates that are roaming free,' Malaysian lawmaker Ram Karpal Singh was quoted as saying by The Star newspaper. Pannir's last-minute reprieve was hailed by dozens of supporters attending a candlelight vigil at a park in Singapore. Holding placards and torchlights, they chanted 'Justice for Pannir' and ' Execution is not the solution.' Dozens others gathered outside the Singapore High Commission in Kuala Lumpur for a similar vigil, singing songs and reading excerpts of poems and letters written by Pannir. Pannir, the third of six children, is the son of a church pastor who worked as a lorry driver to make ends meet, said another Singapore activist Kokila Annamalai. He loves music and played in the church band growing up, she said. In prison, Pannir has penned letters, songs and poems about the anguish of being on death row and hopes of a second chance, she said. His family has shared some of his songs, which were sung by several Malaysian singers.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Yahoo
Activists to hold vigils to protest death penalty in Singapore as a Malaysian man awaits execution
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Rights activists in Singapore and Malaysia will hold candlelight vigils Wednesday to protest capital punishment as Singaporean authorities prepare to execute a Malaysian man for drug trafficking despite mounting pressure to halt the sentencing. Pannir Selvam Pranthaman was arrested in 2014 for having 52 grams (about 1.8 ounces) of heroin and sentenced to death in 2017. He is due to be hanged on Thursday, making him the fourth person to be put to death in the Southeast Asian country this year alone; two others were executed for drug-related crimes and one for murder. Singapore's strict laws mandate the death penalty for anyone caught carrying more than 15 grams (0.5 ounces) of heroin and 500 grams (17.6 ounces) of cannabis. However, critics say the laws only target low-level traffickers and couriers. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Pannir's family, lawyers, some Malaysian lawmakers and various rights groups noted that the Singapore court had found that he was merely a courier transporting the substance. The 36-year-old has said he didn't know he was carrying drugs. Still, the court had to hand down the death sentence after prosecutors refused to issue Pannir a certificate of substantive assistance, vouching that he helped their investigation, which would have spared him the noose, they said. "This process violates the right to a fair trial, as it placed the decision between a life-or-death sentence in the hands of the prosecution–which is not a neutral party in the trial,' Amnesty International said. 'We urge the Singapore government to immediately end its unlawful resort to the death penalty and immediately establish a moratorium on all executions." Malaysian lawmakers called on their country to intervene to halt Pannir's execution and have him extradited to facilitate further investigation. The Malaysian government, which recently scrapped the mandatory death penalty, didn't respond to media queries. 'We oppose the use of the death penalty on drug mules who are themselves victims in the million-dollar transactions by syndicates that are roaming free,' Malaysian lawmaker Ram Karpal Singh was quoted as saying by The Star newspaper. Pannir, the third of six children, is the son of a church pastor who worked as a lorry driver to make ends meet, said Singapore anti-death penalty activist Kokila Annamalai. He loves music and played in the church choir growing up, she said. Behind bars, Pannir has written letters, songs and poems about the anguish of being on death row and hopes of a second chance, she said. His family has shared some of his songs, which were replicated by several Malaysian singers. Activists in Malaysia will hold a vigil outside the Singapore High Commission in Kuala Lumpur later Wednesday. Another vigil will be held simultaneously at a park in Singapore to protest Pannir's execution and the death penalty, as well as to remember those hanged by the city-state.
