In a Facebook post today, Ravi stated that Pannir’s sister had received an official letter from the prison confirming the scheduled execution. Describing the news as "devastating," Ravi highlighted concerns over previous breaches of legal confidentiality involving Singapore’s prison authorities and the Attorney General's Chambers.
In 2020, the Court of Appeal ruled that privileged communications between 13 inmates and their lawyers had been unlawfully disclosed to the prosecution. Ravi stressed that such breaches undermine the administration of the death penalty and violate international legal standards, particularly when legal counsel's privileged information is compromised.
Pannir was arrested in 2014 at the age of 26 after being found in possession of 51.84g of heroin and was convicted in 2017. While in Changi Prison, he wrote two songs and actively contributed to campaigns against the death penalty.
Ravi noted that the judge had determined Pannir acted as a "courier" in the case but emphasized that the prosecution failed to acknowledge his cooperation with authorities, leading to the imposition of the mandatory death sentence.
"The mandatory death penalty for drug-related offenses contradicts international human rights law and standards," Ravi said, reinforcing ongoing concerns surrounding capital punishment policies.
Source / Image Credit : Ravi MRavi , FMT