Alan Shadrake was found guilty of contempt last week after visiting the country to promote his a book about its justice system and the death penalty
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Press freedom groups across five continents have signed a petition calling for charges against British freelance journalist and author Alan Shadrake to be dropped. Last week, Journalism.co.uk reported that Shadrake was found guilty of contempt by a Singapore High Court judge in relation to his book about the death penalty, Once a Jolly Hangman: Singapore Justice in the Dock.
Shadrake, 75, who is based in Malaysia, was arrested in July when he visited Singapore to launch the book BBC News reported.
In total, thirty organisations, all members of the International Freedom of Expression eXchange (IFEX), signed the petition, an open letter to Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong which had already been signed online by more than 400 signatories.
“To our knowledge, there are no grounds for the contempt of court charge that the attorney-general’s office has brought against him,” the letter reads.
“We therefore urge you to intercede with the appropriate authorities to get this charge withdrawn and to allow Mr. Shadrake to leave your country, as his health requires.”
Bodies which have added their name to the petition include Index on Censorship, Reporters Without Borders and Media Watch.
Shadrake appeared in court today when his sentence was expected to be announced, but according to a Bloomberg report the judge decided to reserve his decision until 16 November.
During the hearing, the prosecutor urged the judge to issue a prison sentence of at least 12 weeks, Bloomberg added.
