By Zul Othman | Posted: 02
December 2010 1944 hrs
SINGAPORE: British author Alan Shadrake has decided
to remain in Singapore while appealing against his jail sentence
and plans to sue Singapore both here and in Europe for malicious
prosecution.
Last week, Shadrake, 76, had sought to make an application to leave
the country as he had intended to seek medical treatment in
London.
But at a hearing at the Supreme Court today, Shadrake's lawyer Mr M
Ravi said his client had decided to stay put and wait for his
appeal, which is expected to happen early next year.
Mr Ravi said his client had decided to do so because of the
objections of the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) to the
application as well as the $80,000 he is expected to put up as a
deposit to secure his return.
Shadrake had been sentenced to six weeks' jail, fined $20,000 and
ordered to pay $55,000 in costs to the AGC after being found guilty
of contempt of court over 11 passages in his book 'Once a jolly
hangman: Singapore justice in the dock'.
After Thursday's hearing, Mr Ravi told reporters that his client
intends to sue the Singapore government both here and in Europe for
malicious prosecution.
This is expected to happen sometime in February, he added.
Shadrake told reporters he was planning the action in Europe as
that is where the human rights courts are located.
A defiant Shadrake told reporters: "I am going to fight it, I'm not
backing down, not ever."
- CNA/fa
