By Chen Lin

SINGAPORE (Reuters – On Tuesday, a Singapore court denied an appeal to stop the execution of a Malaysian convicted in drug smuggling. The argument was made by his legal teams that he should not be executed as he was mentally impaired.

Nagaenthran Dramalam, who trafficked approximately 42.7 grams (1.5 oz), of heroin into Singapore has been serving a more than 10 year sentence. Singapore has some of the most strict narcotics laws in the world.

The international media has paid attention to Branson’s plight, with Richard Branson (a British billionaire) and United Nations experts joining Malaysian Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to call for the execution of his sentence.

Violet Netto, Dharmalingam’s lawyer, had objected at last hearing to her client’s prison medical files. Citing confidentiality, she instead asked for an independent psychiatrist review.

On Tuesday, however Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon declared that the effort to keep medical reports secret was absurd and that no evidence was admissible proving a decline in his mental health.

A request for independent psychiatric reviews was also denied by the court.

In its ruling, the panel of five judges stated that “the appellant has been given due process under the law” and that he cannot challenge the process’s outcome if he has not put forward any evidence suggesting that he might have a case that should be considered.

Dharmalingam was not wearing purple prison clothing and did not seem to react to the ruling.

M Ravi was Dharmalingam’s lawyer in the past and has been continuing to help with the case. He stated that Dharmalingam had tried all options to escape death row.

Anti-death penalty group Reprieve said it believed Nagaenthran  is intellectually disabled and should be protected from the death penalty.

Reprieve director Maya Foa said that she called upon Singapore President HalimahYacob “to hear the cries of mercy in Singapore and across the world.”

The exact date of execution was unclear.

Official data shows that Singapore has hung 25 people between 2016-2019 for drug-related crimes.