British author arrested over death penalty book

British writer Alan Shadrake was arrested as part of a criminal defamation investigation, Singapore police said.

Shadrake was in Singapore to promote his new book which examines the city-state’s death penalty policy and features an interview with a former executioner.

Singapore Police Force said Shadrake was arrested yesterday.

The attorney-general’s office said it will also seek contempt of court charges against Shadrake because statements in the book allegedly impugn the impartiality, integrity and independence of the judiciary.