Dutch hanging appeal rejected
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Singapore - A Dutchman, Johannes van Damme, became the first Westerner to be executed for drug-trafficking in Singapore after its president rejected a last-ditch attempt to save him from the gallows.
Van Damme was sentenced to death in late 1992 for possession of 4.3kg (9.6lb) of heroin.
Under Singapore's tough drug laws, anyone in possession of 15gr of heroin is deemed to be a trafficker and the death sentence is mandatory on conviction. Since Singapore introduced the death penalty in 1975, 78 people have been hanged, about half of them foreigners, according to the Central Narcotics Bureau. AFP
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments