Singapore executes third person in one week over drug trafficking offence

Singapore on Friday carried out the execution of 55-year-old Rosman Abdullah for drug trafficking, marking the city-state’s third execution within a week.

The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) confirmed the hanging at Changi Prison, stating Rosman had been convicted of trafficking 57.43 grams (2.03 ounces) of heroin—well above the 15-gram threshold that mandates the death penalty under Singapore’s strict drug laws.

The execution follows the November 15 hanging of two others, a 39-year-old Malaysian and a 53-year-old Singaporean, also convicted of drug trafficking.

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This marks the eighth execution in Singapore this year, with seven related to drug offences and one for murder.

Singapore’s CNB defended the death penalty, stressing that it is applied only to the most severe crimes and helps safeguard the city-state as one of Asia’s safest countries.

“Rosman was accorded full due process under the law and was represented by legal counsel throughout,” the agency said.

However, international condemnation persists. The United Nations and rights groups argue that capital punishment lacks proven deterrent value and breaches international human rights law.

“The use of the death penalty for drug-related offences is incompatible with international human rights law,” said UN spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani, urging Singapore to reconsider its stance.

Since resuming executions in March 2022 after a COVID-19 hiatus, Singapore has hanged 24 people, according to an AFP tally.