Singapore slammed for Zoom death sentence

Singapore was criticised for being "cruel and inhumane" yesterday after a death sentence was handed down via video-conferencing platform Zoom. Malaysian drug trafficker Punithan Genasan was Friday sentenced to hang in a hearing conducted remotely due to restrictions in place to combat the spread of the coronavirus, court officials said. The 37-year-old had been found guilty over the trafficking of at least 28.5 grams (1.0 ounce) of heroin, a crime punishable by death under the city-state's tough anti-drugs laws. The Supreme Court said that it was the first criminal case where a death sentence was handed down in a remote hearing. Singapore has reported over 29,000 coronavirus infections including 22 deaths.