The prosecution had no objection as long as Mr Iswaran complied with additional bail conditions, including paying an additional bail of S$500,000 (US$372,000) in cash on top of the existing bail of S$800,000. Ta.
During the investigation, the “buddy” relationship between Mr. Ong Beng Seng and the Singaporean minister is attracting attention.
During the investigation, the “buddy” relationship between Mr. Ong Beng Seng and the Singaporean minister is attracting attention.
Defense lawyer Senior Counsel Davinder Singh and Prosecutor General Tan Kiat Peng were absent from Thursday’s court.
Their subordinates attended the hearing instead, with Navin Thevar making the application on Iswaran’s behalf and Deputy Chief Prosecutor Chiang Keyue prosecuting the case.
Tevar said the defense applied for Iswaran’s departure primarily because he “needs to get his son into university.”
He added that the defense has accepted the terms put forward by the prosecution.
Apart from the additional cash bail, Iswaran must provide investigators with his travel itinerary and address abroad and remain in constant contact with the IO.
The bailman, a man surnamed Ng, said he agreed to these conditions. When asked by CNA to explain his relationship with Iswaran, Ng did not respond.
District Judge Brenda Tan approved the travel request and imposed bail conditions sought by prosecutors.
Iswaran’s case is also scheduled to be transferred to the High Court, with prosecutors citing “strong public interest considerations” as the reason.
Both parties agreed on this matter.
Singapore ranks fifth in the 2023 index as the least corrupt country after Denmark
Singapore ranks fifth in the 2023 index as the least corrupt country after Denmark
The defense added that Iswaran wants a speedy trial “so that the evidence can be fully disclosed and the matter decided as soon as possible.”
“We are therefore satisfied with that decision as the prosecution has indicated that they will take this case to the High Court. We fully agree that this is a matter that should be heard in the High Court.” ,” Tevar said.
He also asked whether the prosecution would agree to an “early trial” in the High Court, and asked the defense why this should not or cannot happen given the “long” time the investigation is taking. He said he couldn’t understand.
Mr Jiang responded that this was “under consideration” and that the High Court judge’s diary “should be taken into consideration”.
“These are matters where we do not need to defame you and we can take up the matter in the High Court registry once the case conference is convened,” he said.
The charges were filed on January 18, several months after the investigation into Iswaran was made public.
He has pleaded not guilty to all 27 charges and said he will focus on clearing his name after being indicted.
The indictment was read out again on Thursday as it is required when the case is transferred to the High Court.
Singapore’s South Iswaran investigation leads to F1 contract review, audit of 2022 race begins
Singapore’s South Iswaran investigation leads to F1 contract review, audit of 2022 race begins
Among the charges, he was charged with two counts of fraudulently accepting bribes from Ong, 24 counts of obtaining valuables as a public servant, and one count of obstruction of justice.
Ong, who owns the rights to the Singapore Grand Prix, has not been charged.
The former minister is accused of fraudulently accepting S$166,000 (US$123,300) worth of flights, hotel stays and event tickets in exchange for promoting the billionaire’s business interests. There is.
Separately, in his capacity as a minister, he is also accused of dealing with Mr Ong and his company and obtaining valuables worth about S$218,000. Iswaran was the chairman of the F1 steering committee.
Iswaran resigned from his government job two days before he was formally charged in court. He was previously placed on administrative leave pending an investigation by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB).
A criminal disclosure conference in this case will be held at the High Court on March 22nd.
This refers to a formal system in which both sides disclose information about the case, including a summary of the case and the evidence they rely on, in order to facilitate the trial process.
If convicted of obtaining valuables while working as a public servant, Iswaran could be jailed for up to two years, fined, or both.
If found guilty of obtaining ill-gotten gains under the Prevention of Corruption Act, a person can be jailed for up to seven years, fined up to S$100,000, or both.
If convicted of obstruction of justice, he could be sentenced to up to seven years in prison, a fine, or both.