Prison officials sack hangman

Singapore: Singapore has sacked its long-serving hangman, less than a week before the scheduled execution of an Australian drug smuggler, after his identity and picture were exposed by media.

"They called me a few days ago and said I don't have to hang Nguyen and that I don't have to work any more," Chief executioner Darshan Singh said.

"I think they [the prison authorities] must be mad after seeing my pictures in the newspapers," he said.

Australia's Sunday Telegraph said a new executioner was expected to be flown into Singapore this week to carry out the December 2 hanging of 25-year-old Nguyen Tuong Van.

Singh, 74, was reported in the media to have conducted more than 850 hangings in his 50-year career. The reports said Singh had wanted to retire, but the search for a replacement was unsuccessful.