Alan Shadrake

[citation needed] In 1984 he moved to Santa Monica, California, where he freelanced with Star, Globe and the National Enquirer as well as UK and Australian magazines and tabloids.

[3] On the next day after the launch party, Shadrake was arrested on charges of 'criminal defamation' via his book which criticised the Singapore judicial system.

[4] Shadrake, a resident of adjacent Malaysia, was said by the Singapore Government to have "cast doubt on the impartiality and independence of the judiciary", and was also served with legal papers citing him for contempt by scandalising the court.

[citation needed] The arrest and charge followed several previous instances where Singapore's leaders have sued journalists and political opponents for defamation.

[5] His arrest and subsequent detention for two days received widespread media coverage and elicited calls for his release, including from Amnesty International, and renewed attention on Singapore's practice of capital punishment.

[7] During the trial, Reporters Without Borders launched a petition calling on the Singapore government to lift its restriction on Shadrake's travel, in view of his poor health.

[10][11] At the time of this verdict, Shadrake also faced separate charges of criminal defamation, punishable by up to two years in prison and a substantial fine.