Human rights groups have criticised Singapore for handing down a death sentence via video-conferencing platform Zoom. Malaysian drug trafficker Punithan Genasan was sentenced on Friday 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. Zoom has become popular during virus lockdowns worldwide for everything from virtual school classes to business meetings, but Human