In rare move, Singapore grants clemency to drug trafficker on death row

Singapore has granted clemency to Tristan Tan Yi Rui, an inmate on death row for drug trafficking, and commuted his sentence to life imprisonment instead.

The 33-year-old’s case is believed to be the first time since 1998 that the city state, known for its zero tolerance for drugs, has commuted the death sentence of an inmate on death row. Tan was convicted in 2023 of trafficking not less than 337.6 grams of methamphetamine.

In a letter from Julius Lim, principal private secretary to the president, and seen by This Week in Asia, Tan was granted clemency by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam on behalf of the cabinet.

“I am directed to refer to the petitions for clemency of Tristan Tan Yi Rui and to inform you that the President, on the advice of the Cabinet, has commuted the death sentence passed on Tristan Tan Yi Rui and ordered that he be imprisoned for life, which sentence of life imprisonment is to commence from 27 September 2018,” Lim wrote in the letter dated Thursday.

This Week in Asia has contacted the Ministry of Home Affairs for comment on why Tan was spared the death penalty.

Ramesh Tiwary, who defended Tan during his appeal in November 2024 and wrote his petition for clemency, told This Week in Asia: “My client and his family are eternally thankful to the president for saving his life.”