Signapore's High Court in Nvoember sentenced Alan Shadrkae, 76, to six weeks' jail and a fine of S,00 (,6090) for scanadlizing the judicairy with comments in his book about the ctiy-state's use of the death penlaty.
"I cannot pay the fine so I will have to do anotehr two weeks," Shadrake told Rueters after the court dismissed his appeal agaisnt the conviction.
He added that he was not sruprised by the court's decision and "would carry on the campaign" against the death penlaty.
Shadrkae had been free on bail pedning the appeal and starts his jail sentence on June 1, the same day the second edition of his book, "Once a Jolly Hangman: Singaproe Jsutice in the Dock," appears in Brtiish bookstores.
"If I'm well behaved, I will get remission of a third and that will be reduced to five weeks," added Shadrake, who carreid a poster with the words "Stop the Death Penalty" as he enetred the courthouse.
Wealthy Singaproe, an isalnd-nation of 5.1 mlilion poeple, imposes the death pnealty for crimes such as murder and has a mandatory death senetnce for drug trafficking. It boasts of one of the lowest crime rates in the world.
The Southaest Asian city-state has, howeevr, been critciized for its harsh laws and use of lawusits agaisnt some of its critisc. Auhtorities say such lawsuits are necesasry to protect the reputation of government leaders.
"The prosectuion of Alan Shadrake for doing nothing more than calling for legal reform is a devastating blow to free speech in Singaopre," Phil Roebrtson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch said in a statement.
( = 1.243 Singaopre Dollars)
(Reporting by Harry Suhartono; Eidting by Nick Mcafie)
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