Many Australians back Singapore death sentence for compatriot
(AFP)
Updated: 2005-12-01 11:52

Many Australians support Singapore's scheduled execution Friday of a young Vietnamese-Australian drug trafficker despite widespread public emotion here over his fate, according to an opinion poll.

The survey by the Morgan institute published Thursday found that 47 percent of Australians believe Nguyen Tuong Van should be executed for trying to smuggle 400 grams (14 ounces) of heroin via Singapore to Australia.

Another 46 percent said the death penalty should not be carried out, and seven per cent were undecided.

Nguyen, 25, was due to be hanged in Singapore's Changi prison at 6:00 am local time Friday (2200 GMT Thursday).

Capital punishment has long been outlawed in Australia, and the Canberra government has made numerous top level appeals to Singapore to spare Ngyuen, but to no avail.

The impending execution of the Melbourne native, who had no previous criminal record and told police he was smuggling the drugs to help pay off debts owed by his twin brother, has angered and saddened many Australians.

A number of candlelight vigils were held overnight to show support for Nguyen, including one outside parliament in Canberra that was attended by politicians from across the political spectrum.

The emotional public response and occasional calls for a retaliatory boycott of Singaporean products has raised concerns Nguyen's execution could damage relations between the two countries, which are major trade partners.

But Australian officials have insisted the case will not harm ties and Singapore's top diplomat in Australia appealed for understanding Thursday in comments on national radio.

"We respect Australia's sovereign choice not to have capital punishment, but we hope that Australia and Australians would also likewise respect Singapore's sovereign choice in imposing the death penalty for the most serious crimes, including drug trafficking," Singapore High Commissioner Joseph Koh said.

"We are all touched by the pain and anguish shown by Mr Nguyen's mother but if we wavered in our firm position against drug trafficking, many more families would be shattered."

Lawyers for Nguyen, meanwhile, said they had asked for a last-minute meeting Thursday with the Singapore government in a final effort to save their client.

But attorney Lex Lasry said he held out little hope for saving Nguyen.