"The 76-year-old Shadrake was sentenced last week after a Nov. 3 conviction on charges of scandalizing the court in his book, "Once a Jolly Hangman: Singapore Justice in the Dock." He also was fined S$20,000 (US$15,400) and ordered to pay S$55,000 in legal costs.
The six-week jail sentence was the stiffest ever in Singapore for contempt of court, beating the previous record of 15 days. Shadrake would have to serve an additional two weeks in jail if he doesn't pay the fine, and Ravi said last week his client might not have enough money.
He is also facing criminal defamation charges but is free on bail with his passport impounded."
DOW JONES;
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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," held overnight before being released, placed on trial, convicted, jailed and fined.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"SINGAPORE -(Dow Jones)- A U.K. author sentenced to six weeks' jail in Singapore over his book on the city-state's death penalty has asked to leave the country pending his appeal of the conviction, his lawyer said," the Dow Jones story by reporter Chun Han Wong published on November 24, 2010 begins, under the heading, "UK Author Sentenced To Singapore Jail Asks To Leave Country - Lawyer."
"Alan Shadrake on Tuesday informed the High Court he "wishes to leave the jurisdiction as soon as possible" in a letter sent by his lawyer M. Ravi. A hearing will be held Friday," the story continues.
"The 76-year-old Shadrake was sentenced last week after a Nov. 3 conviction on charges of scandalizing the court in his book, "Once a Jolly Hangman: Singapore Justice in the Dock." He also was fined S$20,000 (US$15,400) and ordered to pay S$55,000 in legal costs.
The six-week jail sentence was the stiffest ever in Singapore for contempt of court, beating the previous record of 15 days. Shadrake would have to serve an additional two weeks in jail if he doesn't pay the fine, and Ravi said last week his client might not have enough money.
He is also facing criminal defamation charges but is free on bail with his passport impounded.
The Attorney General's Chambers said in an emailed statement late Tuesday that criminal defamation investigations are ongoing and separate from the contempt proceedings. Shadrake must seek police permission to leave Singapore for that matter, it said.
The book, launched earlier this year, profiles a retired chief executioner and features interviews on death penalty cases with rights activists, lawyers, and former police officers.
Government lawyers said statements in the book constituted "baseless, unwarranted attacks" impugning Singapore's judiciary, and imply that Singapore courts succumb to foreign political and economic pressure, favor the rich and well-connected and are used by the government to suppress dissent.
He has until Dec. 15 to appeal."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The story can be found at:
http://www.nasdaq.com/aspx/stock-market-news-story.aspx?storyid=201011240154dowjonesdjonline000249&title=uk-author-sentenced-to-singapore-jail-asks-to-leave-country-lawyer
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;
