Jolovan Wham, an activist, was charged with attending five death row prisoners ‘ improper candlelight vigils on February 3rd in Singapore.
The Singaporean, 45, was charged with five offenses under the Public Order Act for participating in a public assembly without a force.
According to command plates, the vigils were held to “mark” the killings of four individuals, all of whom were convicted medication smugglers.
Singapore sentences people to the death penalty for having a substantial amount of drugs trafficked.
On Mar 29, 2022, around 11pm, Wham supposedly attended a candlelight vigil for Abdul Kahar Othman near a van stop opposite Changi Women’s Prison.
Abdul Kahar was found guilty of trafficking 66.77g of diamorphine and given a death sentence in 2015. He was executed on Mar 30, 2022.
Wham then reportedly attended rallies for Nagaenthran Dharmalingam on Apr 26, 2022 near Changi Prison, and on Apr 27, 2022 at a park near Mariam Walk.
Nagaenthran was hanged on April 27, 2022, after the Court of Appeal rejected a request for a stay of execution the following morning.
He was found guilty of bringing 42.72 grams of cocaine into Singapore in a bag strapped to his thigh in 2009, and he was sentenced to death in 2010.
Wham is also accused of keeping ceremony for Nazeri Lajim around 6.15am on Jul 22, 2022, the day of his murder. Apparently, this occurred outside Changi Prison at a bus stop.
Nazeri was convicted in 2017 of possessing not less than 33.39g of diamorphine for prostitution. He was executed on Jul 22, 2022.
Wham reportedly reportedly attended a candlelight vigil for Tangaraju Suppiah near Changi Prison on April 26, 2023, the day of his execution, at around 6am.
In 2018, Tangaraju was found guilty of conspiring to customers in one kilogram of marijuana, which constituted abetting an friend.
Richard Branson, a businessman from the UK, who opposed Tangaraju’s death sentence, helped make his case well known.
The Ministry of Home Affairs responded at the time by expressing concern that Mr. Branson’s opinions disrespected Singapore’s criminal justice system and courts.
Wham’s circumstance was adjourned for studies to be completed. He may return to court on , Apr 1.
Wham has recently been found guilty of speaking at various public gatherings.
He was fined for holding a public council without a force in a civil disobedience and social activities event in January 2019.
He was fined in February 2021 for organizing an unapproved public assembly on an MRT coach to honor Operation Spectrum.
Both days, Wham chose to serve the in-default words of 10 time’ and 18 times ‘ prison both.
Wham also received a$ 25,000 fine in February 2022 for holding a sign outside the State Courts during an unlawful assembly.
A fine of up to S$ 3, 000 is the maximum penalty for taking part in a public assembly without a permit. As Wham is a repeat offender, he could be fined up to S$ 5, 000.