"Deputy Senior State Counsel, Hema Subramaniam told Justice Quentin Loh that the prosecution was only proceeding on these 14 statements.
She pointed out that some of them alleged that certain criminal proceedings in Singapore favoured the wealthy and the privileged.
She added that other passages insinuated that the judiciary was used by the ruling party to muzzle political dissent.
Ms Subramaniam also told the court there were other parts of the book that had alleged that the judiciary succumbed to political and economic pressure.
However, Shadrake's lawyer, M Ravi said that the AGC was "hypersensitive" to criticism and should "stop and relax".
He stressed that the book was not written as a mean-spirited piece against Singapore's judiciary.
Instead, he said that it was a serious minded and compassionate examination of the workings of the death penalty."
SINGAPORE NEWS;
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BACKGROUND: The 75-year-old free-lance British journalist was arrested by Singapore authorities in July, 2010, on criminal charges in connection with his new book, "Once a Jolly Hangman: Singapore Justice in the Dock," and then held overnight before being released pending trial.
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"SINGAPORE : The Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) has taken issue with 14 passages from a British writer's book which it said had called into question the integrity, impartiality and independence of the country's judiciary," the Singapore News published earlier today under the heading, "UK author Shadrake made baseless attacks on S'pore judiciary: lawyer," begins.
"75-year-old Alan Shadrake is facing contempt of court charges over his book, "Once A Jolly Hangman: Singapore Justice in the Dock," the story continues.
"He has denied any intention to scandalise the Singapore's judiciary.
Deputy Senior State Counsel, Hema Subramaniam told Justice Quentin Loh that the prosecution was only proceeding on these 14 statements.
She pointed out that some of them alleged that certain criminal proceedings in Singapore favoured the wealthy and the privileged.
She added that other passages insinuated that the judiciary was used by the ruling party to muzzle political dissent.
Ms Subramaniam also told the court there were other parts of the book that had alleged that the judiciary succumbed to political and economic pressure.
However, Shadrake's lawyer, M Ravi said that the AGC was "hypersensitive" to criticism and should "stop and relax".
He stressed that the book was not written as a mean-spirited piece against Singapore's judiciary.
Instead, he said that it was a serious minded and compassionate examination of the workings of the death penalty.
Besides contempt of court, which is punishable by imprisonment and/or a fine, Shadrake is also under investigation for criminal defamation.
If convicted of this, he could be jailed up to two years and fined.
Shadrake, who was arrested on July 18, a day after the book was launched, will be back in court on Tuesday. - CNA /ls"
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The post can be found at:
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1087842/1/.html
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PUBLISHER'S NOTE: The Toronto Star, my previous employer for more than twenty incredible years, has put considerable effort into exposing the harm caused by Dr. Charles Smith and his protectors - and into pushing for reform of Ontario's forensic pediatric pathology system. The Star has a "topic" section which focuses on recent stories related to Dr. Charles Smith. It can be accessed at:
http://www.thestar.com/topic/charlessmith
For a breakdown of some of the cases, issues and controversies this Blog is currently following, please turn to:
http://smithforensic.blogspot.com/2010/07/new-feature-cases-issues-and.html
Harold Levy: Publisher; The Charles Smith Blog; hlevy15@gmail.com.
