Richard Branson, a British tycoon, has called on Singapore to halt the upcoming execution of Tangaraju Suppiah, who has been sentenced to death for possessing one kilogram of cannabis. Branson believes that Singapore may be about to put an innocent man to death. Central Narcotics Bureau has stated that Tangaraju, a 46-year-old Singaporean, will be hanged on Wednesday.
Many countries have decriminalized cannabis, including neighboring Thailand, and human rights groups have been pressuring Singapore to abolish capital punishment. Singapore maintains some of the world's harshest anti-narcotics laws and argues that the death penalty acts as a deterrent against drug trafficking.
Tangaraju was convicted in 2017 of abetting drug trafficking by participating in a conspiracy involving 1,017.9 grams (35.9 ounces) of cannabis, which is twice the minimum amount that can result in the death penalty under Singapore's stringent drug laws. His sentence was upheld by the Court of Appeal in 2018.
Tangaraju's family has also asked for mercy and a retrial.
If Tangaraju's execution is carried out, it will be Singapore's first in six months and the twelfth since last year. Branson and human rights organizations claim that Tangaraju did not handle the drugs himself, while prosecutors argue that two mobile phone numbers he owned were used as contacts.
Singapore resumed executions in March 2022 after a two-year hiatus. One of the executed prisoners was Nagaenthran K. Dharmalingam, whose execution drew international condemnation, including from the United Nations and Branson, due to his mental disability.
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