Execution of Malaysian-Indian in Singapore stayed after he tested Covid-19 positive

Nagaenthran K Dharmalingam was to be hanged at Changi Prison for drug trafficking.

A 33-year-old Indian-origin Malaysian man's execution was stayed on Tuesday by Singapore's top court after the convicted drug trafficker, believed to be mentally challenged, tested positive for COVID-19. Nagaenthran K Dharmalingam was to be hanged at Changi Prison for drug trafficking on Wednesday. Singapore's High Court on Monday suspended his scheduled execution until an appeal is heard during an online hearing.

Nagaenthran, who has been on death row for 11 years, was ushered in briefly into the dock at the Court of Appeal for the hearing of a last-ditch appeal against his death sentence, Channel News Asia reported.

However, he was later abruptly taken away, and a judge informed the court that Nagaenthran had tested positive for COVID-19.