[Deathpenalty]death penalty news----worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

Oct. 20



SINGAPORE/AUSTRALIA:

Death sentence appeal fails


A Melbourne man facing the death penalty in Singapore has lost a final
challenge against his sentence in the country's Court of Appeal.

The court today dismissed the appeal by Nguyen Tuong Van, 23, who has been
on death row in Changi Prison since March, when he was found guilty of
smuggling nearly 400 grams of heroin.

His Melbourne-based lawyer, Lex Lasry QC, said he had been informed that
the appeal for clemency was unsuccessful.

"The Court of Appeal in Singapore announced their decision this morning
which was that the appeal was dismissed, so the conviction and sentence
obviously are confirmed," Mr Lasry told ABC radio.

(source: Herald Sun)