Singapore has fired its executioner (via Singabloodypore):
Darshan Singh … No longer Singapore’s hangman. SINGAPORE has sacked its long-serving hangman on the eve of the execution of Australian drug courier Nguyen Tuong Van.
A new executioner is expected to be flown into Singapore this week to carry out Nguyen’s death sentence as scheduled on Friday despite pleas for mercy from Australia. It is believed the new hangman will be flown in from another Asian country, possibly Malaysia, with which Singapore has a close relationship.
The 25-year old from Melbourne will become the first prisoner in Singapore in 46 years not to be sent to his death by Darshan Singh. The 74-year-old grandfather was dumped after his identity and picture was revealed by The Australian newspaper.
Mr Singh said he was in big trouble and was out of a job.
"It has been very, very difficult for me," he told The Sunday Telegraph. "I am not the hangman anymore."
Mr Singh said he would miss the $400 fee for each execution but was relieved he would not be placing the noose around Nguyen’s neck. "In a way I am happy," he said.
Nguyen’s lawyer Lex Lasry said the prospect of an inexperienced hangman was disturbing because mistakes could cause extended suffering. "If this must happen it must be done as humanely as possible. It just shows the high level of inhumanity of it."
The article doesn’t mention why Singh was sacked, although the firing comes on the heels of a press interview with him. Singapore is secretive about its execution, so AsiaPundit suspects the revelation of Singh’s identity was the top reason for his dismissal.
Technorati Tags: asia, east asia, singapore rebel, southeast asia
November 30th, 2005 at 7:30 am
For a start l am disquested that a “Singh” has been doing the Hanging. I am a singh, our religion is Sikh. Sikh are strick in their religion. We mediate on the Name of one God. who is the creator. We holy scripts preach, that It is only God who knows the hour of death and the hour of Birth. It looks like Mr. Singh has been playing God and Mr. Singh is the Biggest sinner. I now that he would not be going to a better place when he leave this World. (that is what he tells his victims) He might be living a life of luxtury, But it is not his job if he was to be a true Singh (Silkh) to take other peoples lives. God help you when you are going to be judged. (Mr.Dharsan Singh you look like you have even eaten some of the dead body that that hugh stomach of yours, in your photos you do not look like a singh or a Silk but you do look like a muslim that used to torture sikh in) Could you not have gone to the Temple and earned a descent living?
November 30th, 2005 at 7:31 am
For a start l am disquested that a “Singh” has been doing the Hanging. I am a singh, our religion is Sikh. Sikh are strick in their religion. We mediate on the Name of one God. who is the creator. We holy scripts preach, that It is only God who knows the hour of death and the hour of Birth. It looks like Mr. Singh has been playing God and Mr. Singh is the Biggest sinner. I now that he would not be going to a better place when he leave this World. (that is what he tells his victims) He might be living a life of luxtury, But it is not his job if he was to be a true Singh (Silkh) to take other peoples lives. God help you when you are going to be judged. (Mr.Dharsan Singh you look like you have even eaten some of the dead body that that hugh stomach of yours, in your photos you do not look like a singh or a Silk but you do look like a muslim that used to torture sikh in) Could you not have gone to the Temple and earned a descent living?
December 7th, 2005 at 11:15 pm
Now that l have learn that you have converted to beinging a muslim. So if you have disregarded your Silk religion why don’t you delete the “Singh” name which belong to very respected religion “The Sikh Religion”
Because YOU MR DHARSAH ‘SINGH’ NOW YOU ARE IN THE MEDIA - YOU HAVE TARNISHED THE SINGHS NAME AND THE NAME YOU HAVE DISRESPECTED OUR RELIGION - SHAME ON THE DISGAUSTED LIVING THAT YOU HAD MADE.