Singapore hangs Australian drug smuggler
(AP)
Updated: 2005-12-02 08:28

Julian McMahon, one of his Australian lawyers, said Nguyen was "completely rehabilitated, completely reformed, completely focused on doing what is good and now they are going to kill him."

Another lawyer, Lex Lasry, said the family had a "beautiful last visit."

Khao Nguyen Tuong (R), brother of convicted Australian drug smuggler Nguyen Tuong Van, and lawyer Julian McMahon (L) leave Changi prison after Nguyen's execution in Singapore December 2, 2005. [Reuters]

"It was a great visit and quite uplifting," he said, brushing away tears.

McMahon said Nguyen's mother had been allowed to hold her son's hand and touch his face in her last visit.

"That was a great comfort to her," McMahon said.

Lasry has criticized Singapore's mandatory death penalty for some drugs cases and attacked the clemency appeal process as lacking transparency.

But Singapore's Home Affairs Ministry said in an e-mail statement that every petition for clemency is carefully considered by the president, "taking into account all relevant factors."

"The president has in the past commuted the death penalty," the statement said.

According to local media, Singapore has granted clemency to six inmates on death row — all Singaporeans — since independence in 1965.

Earlier Thursday, Australian Attorney General Philip Ruddock called the planned execution "a most unfortunate, barbaric act that is occurring."

Asked about the comment in Berlin, Lee would only say that "the Australian press is colorful." Lee emphasized that all factors, including Australian letters for clemency, had been "taken into account" but said "the law will have to take its course."