Barlow and Chambers execution

Barlow and Chambers execution
Date7 July 1986 (1986-07-07)
LocationPudu Prison, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
TypeExecution by hanging
PerpetratorMalaysian Prison Department
OutcomeKevin Barlow and Brian Chambers executed by hanging
Kevin John Barlow
Born1957/1958
Stoke-on-Trent, England, United Kingdom
Died7 July 1986(1986-07-07) (aged 28)
Cause of deathExecution by hanging
Criminal statusExecuted
Conviction(s)Drug trafficking
Criminal penaltyDeath penalty
Brian Geoffrey Shergold Chambers
Born1956/1957
Died7 July 1986(1986-07-07) (aged 29)
Cause of deathExecution by hanging
Criminal statusExecuted
Conviction(s)Drug trafficking
Criminal penaltyDeath penalty

The Barlow and Chambers executions were the hangings on 7 July 1986 by Malaysia of two Westerners, Kevin John Barlow (Australian and British) and Brian Geoffrey Shergold Chambers (Australian) of Perth, Western Australia, for transporting 141.9 g (5.01 oz) of heroin.

The two men became the first Westerners to be executed under Malaysia's new tougher laws for drug offences. Under Section 39B(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, "Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of subsection (1)[1] shall be guilty of an offence against this Act and shall be punished on conviction with death..." Barlow was born in the United Kingdom in Stoke-on-Trent and held dual British and Australian nationalities.[2] Barlow's family made appeals to UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to make a protest about the impending execution, but she declined to do so. Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Bill Hayden's appeal for clemency to the Malaysian government was rejected.[3] The executions caused public outcry and strained political relations between Australia and Malaysia at the time.

  1. ^ Section 39B(1): "No person shall, on his own behalf or on behalf of any other person, whether or not such other person is in Malaysia — (a) traffic in a dangerous drug; (b) offer to traffic in a dangerous drug; or (c) do or offer to do an act preparatory to or for the purpose of trafficking in a dangerous drug."
  2. ^ Hiett, Peter (7 July 1986). "Brian Chambers and Kevin Barlow executed in Malaysia". The Guardian. London. and agencies. Retrieved 21 January 2009.
  3. ^ "1985: Drug traffickers' appeal rejected". BBC News. 18 December 1985. Retrieved 27 June 2009.

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