A Melbourne man on trial for heroin trafficking in Singapore could be sentenced to hang at the end of his trial today.

A conviction in the case could strain relations between Singapore and the Federal Government, which is opposed to capital punishment.

Nguyen Tuong Van was arrested in December 2002 at Singapore Airport trying to board a Qantas flight to Melbourne.

During a routine security check police found almost 400 grams of heroin taped to his back and inside his hand luggage.

Under Singapore law, anyone caught with more than 15 grams of heroin faces a mandatory death penalty.

The island state has proven repeatedly that foreigners are not exempt from its execution laws, despite appeals for clemency from their government.

30/01/2004. Archived from ABC News Online

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