Author of death penalty book Alan Shadrake arrested

[Cao Pi]

Shadrake applies to leave Singapore


Nov 26, 2010

Shadrake applies to leave Singapore

British journalist Alan Shadrake

BRITISH author Alan Shadrake, 76, sentenced to six weeks' jail for contempt of court last week, is applying to leave Singapore. Contacted by The Straits Times yesterday, he said he wants to return to Penang, his second home, and London to settle 'personal' matters, but has not decided what his first stop would be.

Shadrake, whose sentence has been stayed pending appeal, said he had not originally planned to leave Singapore, and that he was responding to a 'reminder' by the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) at a closed-door hearing on Monday that he had the right to apply to the court for permission to leave.

'I intend to come back. I'm not running away,' he told The Straits Times. He did not disclose the length of his proposed trip out of Singapore. His application to leave is scheduled to be heard today by Justice Quentin Loh.

Earlier this month, Shadrake was found to have impugned the impartiality, integrity and independence of the courts in 11 passages in his book, Once A Jolly Hangman: Singapore's Justice In The Dock.

Read the full story in Friday's edition of The Straits Times.

SELINA LUM

 

[Xiahou Yuan]

Shadrake to remain in S'pore, plans to sue for 'malicious prosecution'


Shadrake to remain in S'pore, plans to sue for 'malicious prosecution'
By Zul Othman, Sara Grosse | Posted: 02 December 2010 1944 hrs
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SINGAPORE: British author Alan Shadrake has decided to remain in Singapore while appealing against his jail sentence and plans to sue Singapore both here and in Europe for malicious prosecution.

Last week, Shadrake, 76, had sought to make an application to leave the country as he had intended to seek medical treatment in London.

But at a hearing at the Supreme Court today, Shadrake's lawyer Mr M Ravi said his client had decided to stay put and wait for his appeal, which is expected to happen early next year.

Mr Ravi said his client had decided to do so because of the objections of the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) to the application as well as the $80,000 he is expected to put up as a deposit to secure his return.

Shadrake had been sentenced to six weeks' jail, fined $20,000 and ordered to pay $55,000 in costs to the AGC after being found guilty of contempt of court over 11 passages in his book 'Once a Jolly Hangman: Singapore Justice in the Dock'.

The passages were found to have undermined the integrity of Singapore's judicial system.

After Thursday's hearing, Mr Ravi told reporters that his client intends to sue the Singapore government both here and in Europe for malicious prosecution.

This is expected to happen sometime in February, he added.

Shadrake told reporters he was planning the action in Europe as that is where the human rights courts are located.

A defiant Shadrake told reporters: "I am going to fight it, I'm not backing down, not ever."

- CNA/fa

 

[Balrog]

Apr 11, 2011

Shadrake appeals six-week jail term

Alan Shadrake seen here holding up a poster on his way to Supreme Court. The British author launched an appeal on Monday against his six-week jail term, saying the charges against him were 'bloody nonsense'. -- ST PHOTO: AZIZ HUSSIN

A BRITISH author launched an appeal on Monday against a six-week jail term for scandalising Singapore's judiciary, saying the charges against him were 'bloody nonsense'.

Alan Shadrake, 76, was sentenced and fined $20,000 in November last year after Singapore's High Court ruled that his book on the death penalty broke the city-state's laws.

Shadrake's lawyer M. Ravi told the Court of Appeal on Monday the book, entitled Once a Jolly Hangman: Singapore Justice in the Dock, did not damage public confidence in the judiciary.

'If the book had been considered to be as dangerous and risky... It is astonishing that it is not banned,' Mr Ravi said.

'The Singapore citizen is not so gullible as to lose faith in the judicial system... regardless of any abusive criticism directed at it.' The court reserved its judgment.

Shadrake, who is on bail, said after the hearing that bringing the charges against him 'is bloody nonsense and if they put me in prison, I don't care'. -- AFP

 

[Musashi Miyamoto]

May 27, 2011

British author Alan Shadrake loses appeal

By Selina Lum

He said he did not regret writing the book although he admitted making 'minor' errors. -- PHOTO: AFP

THE Court of Appeal on Friday affirmed the sentence of six weeks' jail and a $20,000 fine handed down to British author Alan Shadrake by the High Court for contempt of court.

After the decision by Singapore's highest court, Shadrake, 76, through his lawyer, Mr M. Ravi, asked to start serving his jail term next Wednesday. The request was granted.

Last year, the Attorney-General had applied to commit Shadrake for contempt of court on the ground that 14 passages in his book, Once A Jolly Hangman: Singapore Justice in the Dock, had scandalised the judiciary.

In November last year, he was found by High Court judge Quentin Loh to have impugned the impartiality, integrity and independence of the courts here in 11 out of the 14 passages. Justice Loh sentenced Shadrake to six weeks' jail and a $20,000 fine - the heaviest punishment handed down here for contempt of court by way of scandalising the judiciary.

Shadrake appealed.

On Friday, a three-judge Court of Appeal, contrary to Justice Loh, found nine of the 14 passages to be in contempt.

The appeal court disagreed with Justice Loh's approach in giving Shadrake a 'sentencing discount' to signal that the courts have no interest in stifling legitimate debate on the death penalty. The appeal court said that Shadrake's conduct merited a substantial jail term as this was 'still the worst case of scandalising contempt' that has come before the Singapore courts.

Shadrake, who walked out of court flashing his usual V for victory sign, said: 'They gave me what I expected. I expected the results.'

He said he did not regret writing the book although he admitted making 'minor' errors.

Shadrake said he will not be able to pay the fine and will serve the default two-week jail term, making a total of eight weeks.

 

[lianbeng]

lianbeng says, "hang him lah! let him experience himself and face the gallows!"

 

[Rogue Trader]

I just bought this book 5 hours ago. Gripping stuff. I remember most of the cases sited - flor contemplacion, other pinoy maid murderer who chopped up her victim, the orchard tower double murders, the high society cocaine ring busts..

This is not a book just about the death penalty.It is how the judiciary process is selectively carried out.

 

[Sun Ce]

Jun 23, 2011

Alan Shadrake won't face more charges

Alan Shadrake, now serving an eight-week jail term for contempt of court, will not need to face separate charges of criminal defamation. ST PHOTO: SELINA LUM

BRITISH author Alan Shadrake, now serving an eight-week jail term for contempt of court, will not need to face separate charges of criminal defamation.

The police said on Thursday that the Attorney-General has reviewed the case and concluded that, although police investigations had turned up evidence of several counts of criminal defamation, they had arisen out of the same facts already dealt with in the earlier proceedings against the 76-year-old Briton.

The Attorney-General has thus seen no need for further action to be taken, 'as there is no public interest in commencing a further set of proceedings against him', said the police statement.

The case against Shadrake was built on statements he made in his book on Singapore's death penalty, Once A Jolly Hangman: Singapore's Justice In The Dock.

Contempt-of-court proceedings were brought against him for the statements in his book, which impugned the independence and impartiality of Singapore's courts.

He was convicted in November last year and handed a six-week jail term and a $20,000 fine.

Read the full report in Friday's edition of The Straits Times.

 

[red amoeba]

I just bought this book 5 hours ago. Gripping stuff. I remember most of the cases sited - flor contemplacion, other pinoy maid murderer who chopped up her victim, the orchard tower double murders, the high society cocaine ring busts..

This is not a book just about the death penalty.It is how the judiciary process is selectively carried out.

==

got the book too...eye opener.

 

[CheesePie]

Author Shadrake freed from jail and deported to London
Posted: 09 July 2011 1115 hrs
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SINGAPORE: British author Alan Shadrake was released from prison on Saturday, after serving time for contempt of court.

His lawyer, M Ravi, said he was deported to London in the afternoon.

Shadrake, 76, was sentenced to six weeks' jail and fined S$20,000 for statements in his book, "Once A Jolly Hangman: Singapore's Justice In The Dock".

The statements on the country's death penalty were ruled to have impugned the independence and impartiality of Singapore's courts.

Shadrake went to jail on June 1 after losing an appeal against the six-week jail sentence.

He had to serve an additional two weeks as he could not afford to pay the fine.

Mr Ravi said his client had been released early for good behaviour.

- CNA/cc