JUST PUNISHMENT*
*"Just Punishment will broadcast on the ABC at 9:20 on 7th December 2006.
On December 2nd 2005 Van Nguyen, a 24 year old Australian, was hanged by the state of Singapore for trafficking 396 grams of heroin. Van was the first Australian to be executed in many years and his story flooded news outlets across the country. Filmed over two years 'Just Punishment' tells the story behind the media face of Van Nguyen and the remarkable journey to try and keep him alive.
In the weeks preceding Van Nguyen's hanging the Australian public was gripped by media reports detailing the unceasing efforts to save the young drug dealers life. Despite the number of states within the Asian region who practise capital punishment, it had been 12 years since an Australian citizen faced execution. The media interest was intense, diplomatic tension ensued and public opinion was split.
Van became the pin up boy for a number of causes: a symbol of the injustice of Singapore’s mandatory death sentence system, a lesson on the impact of drug trafficking and an example of the power of reformation. At the moment of his execution thousands of people attended vigils and church services across the country. Van Nguyen's story had captured a nation.
Three years earlier, Van was arrested whilst in transit at Singapore's Changi Airport. He was found with heroin strapped to his body and in his hand luggage. Under Singapore's strict drug laws he automatically faced a mandatory death sentence. Van was not a seasoned drug trafficker, he had no prior criminal record and this trip was the first time he had left Australia.
Van's friends and family were shocked by the news of his arrest, including his twin brother who was, in part, the motivation for Van's ill-fated trip. His arrest brought together an unlikely group who formed Van's inner circle as his case moved from legal process to a diplomatic plea.
'Just Punishment' traces Van’s change from naive, young man to some one who became wise beyond his years, who in the face of the hangman’s noose came to fearlessly accept his fate and leave peace in the hearts of those who fought to save him. Told through a mixture of exclusive interviews, unseen observational footage and excerpts from Van’s prison diaries, ‘Just Punishment’ tracks the personal stories of Van and his inner circle over the two years from death sentence to execution.
Van Nguyen's story effected every-one who came to know it, from those closest to him to the highest levels of Australian politics. It is a story that is guaranteed to remain in our conscience for a while yet.
On December 2nd 2005 Van Nguyen, a 24 year old Australian, was hanged by the state of Singapore for trafficking 396 grams of heroin. Van was the first Australian to be executed in many years and his story flooded news outlets across the country. Filmed over two years 'Just Punishment' tells the story behind the media face of Van Nguyen and the remarkable journey to try and keep him alive.
In the weeks preceding Van Nguyen's hanging the Australian public was gripped by media reports detailing the unceasing efforts to save the young drug dealers life. Despite the number of states within the Asian region who practise capital punishment, it had been 12 years since an Australian citizen faced execution. The media interest was intense, diplomatic tension ensued and public opinion was split.
Van became the pin up boy for a number of causes: a symbol of the injustice of Singapore’s mandatory death sentence system, a lesson on the impact of drug trafficking and an example of the power of reformation. At the moment of his execution thousands of people attended vigils and church services across the country. Van Nguyen's story had captured a nation.
Three years earlier, Van was arrested whilst in transit at Singapore's Changi Airport. He was found with heroin strapped to his body and in his hand luggage. Under Singapore's strict drug laws he automatically faced a mandatory death sentence. Van was not a seasoned drug trafficker, he had no prior criminal record and this trip was the first time he had left Australia.
Van's friends and family were shocked by the news of his arrest, including his twin brother who was, in part, the motivation for Van's ill-fated trip. His arrest brought together an unlikely group who formed Van's inner circle as his case moved from legal process to a diplomatic plea.
'Just Punishment' traces Van’s change from naive, young man to some one who became wise beyond his years, who in the face of the hangman’s noose came to fearlessly accept his fate and leave peace in the hearts of those who fought to save him. Told through a mixture of exclusive interviews, unseen observational footage and excerpts from Van’s prison diaries, ‘Just Punishment’ tracks the personal stories of Van and his inner circle over the two years from death sentence to execution.
Van Nguyen's story effected every-one who came to know it, from those closest to him to the highest levels of Australian politics. It is a story that is guaranteed to remain in our conscience for a while yet.
posted by AUTOPSee at 7:05 pm
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