UPDATE 8: Lianhe Wanbao reporter’s tape recording of book launch is believed to have been seized by the police. When contacted by TOC, the reporter - Ms Koh Hsingyu – declined to comment.
UPDATE 7: Alan Shadrake presents himself at 11am on 22 July, Thursday, for further interrogation by the police.
UPDATE 6: Alan Shadrake was interrogated by the police for 11 hours on Tuesday, 20th July. He has been released on S$10,000 bail.
UPDATE 5: British news reports: The Telegraph. The Guardian.
UPDATE 4: News reports: Asian Correspondent. Sydney Morning Herald.
UPDATE 3: British Foreign Office seeking more information from Singapore authorities about arrest of Shadrake.
UPDATE 2: Mr M Ravi is acting as lawyer for Shadrake. Mr Ravi has written to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the investigating officer to request access to his client. In his letter, Mr Ravi said: “We humbly and urgently request access to our client to take his instructions on the above matter and advise him on his legal rights. Kindly expedite our request as our client is 75 years old and has medical conditions.”
UPDATE 1: According to CNA, Shadrake was arrested at 8am Sunday morning. As of 8:12pm, he is still in police custody. There is no information on when or whether he will be allowed bail. We understand that friends of Shadrake have been trying to reach the British High Commissioner but have not been able to as yet.
Alan Shadrake, the British author of the book “Once A Jolly Hangman”, was arrested this morning. According to Channel NewsAsia:
“Police said the 75-year-old is being investigated for alleged criminal defamation and other offences. The arrest was made after a police report by the Media Development Authority on Friday. Shadrake has also been served with a Contempt of Court order by the Attorney-General.”
We will update readers when we have further news.
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#traveller,
Excatly, well said and not too far from the truth.
That is what the authorities are trying to determine themselves now. What can we nail him with?
Bring him in first, then get some answers and tie to some other charges.
I enjoy their work, surrounded with mystery, artful tactics. Great for another book. Perhaps that’s what they want from Alan Shadrake and are too shy to ask.
@traveller22 July 2010
> Vic, how can “fear of the truth” be
> the motive for the arrest when the
> consequence of the arrest will be to
> generate adverse world-wide publicity
> and more details will emerge in a
> courtroom cramped with international
> journalists?
Simple. Cutting of the nose to spite the face.
Obviously not very smart.
Anyone managed to read Shadrake’s book? Just thought that it might be worth the while trying to get hold of a copy for a better handle on the content. Much as I have some issues over the Govt’s handling of certain matters, I actually don’t think they are so clueless as to bring charges against a foreign national without substantive evidence to back themselves up, in view of the domestic and international backlash that would invariably generate.
Yes, we need to be cautious here. What if he really said something that is very damaging to Singapore? Do we really want to defend someone who is harming Singapore, just so that we can get at the Gah-ment? I hope that, at least, we can be principled dissenters – we might dissent against some policies, but ultimately, we do so for the benefit and good of Singapore.
So, please be cautious. Find out what he really said first. It’ll be good to get a copy of the book.
BTW, as I’ve mentioned before, I SUPPORT the death penalty. I support it for crimes such as murder, kidnapping, and – yes – drug trafficking. From a utilitarian (learnt it when I’m in uni!) point of view, I think it works to reduce crime rate through deterrence.
From a moral point of view, I think it’s existence is more moral than it’s lack. As someone who has seen firsthand the damage drug addiction does to addicts and their families, I say that drug traffickers deserve the death penalty for causing so much suffering, and – yes – deaths.
And I beg to differ that the ‘real’ criminals are the drug lords or barons. Yes, they’re criminals. But drug mules are no innocent party either. Remember, they’re the ones who actually bring in the drugs. Without mules, well, there would be no trafficking and drug use. So they too have the responsibility and must pay the price.
I don’t care what the ang mohs keep telling us. We’ve to make up our own minds about what’s right and wrong. Not keep aping the westerners.
Who ask them to take drug?They buy it voluntarily.
Why cigarettes and casinos are legal?Don’t they cause harm too?
Realized it was Seelan who freaking bailed Shadrake out. As much as that’s a nobel thing to do for a stranger, but that’s a freaking $10,000 bucks man, where did Seelan find that money? That’s a lot of prostitution work man.
image? blue shxx
I cant believe this is the country that i am born. Why everything got to do with defamation suits?
Can someone here who is either a pratice lawyer or judge or queen counsel here advise what is the true definition of defamation?
How can someone be sue by defamation if he is speaking and writing out the truth with careful research before penning it down on a book to be publish. Though im not a legal counsel or lawyer, but just a commoner. I still able to distingush what is right and what is wrong.
Period.