S$2.8b money laundering case: Suspect's bail review adjourned as prosecution examines health claims
Photos of cash that was seized by the police on Aug 15, 2023.
SINGAPORE — A bail review sought by one of 10 accused persons in a S$2.8 billion money laundering case has been adjourned for four weeks.
Su Baolin, 41, appeared in court via video-link on Wednesday (Nov 15) from Changi Medical Centre where he is seeking treatment for a heart condition.
Su is facing two charges for dishonestly using forged documents to commit fraud in one of the biggest money laundering cases in Singapore.
He was before the court to apply for a review of an earlier decision that did not grant him bail.
Before the bail review could start, Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) R Arvindren told the court that he would be applying for a four-week adjournment of Su's bail review.
"We understand this is an adversarial system but it should be clear to the defence that the prosecution will need time to review the documents, and we will also need time to make a decision on whether we need to file affidavits to deal with the matters raised," DPP Arvindren said.
He highlighted several key arguments raised by the defence that required a response, such as the defence's claim that Su was at a high risk for gastric cancer and the travelling time from the prison to the nearest hospital.
"There's also a serious accusation that I quote from the defence, which says that Changi Medical Centre needlessly gambles with the accused's life and that the centre did not provide adequate care to the accused," DPP Arvindren added.
He said it was clear from examining the defence submission that the prosecution needs to file an affidavit from the Singapore Prison Service to clarify the allegations raised against it.
Defence counsel Sunil Sudheesan, who represented Su, argued that the prosecution's doubts about his client's health were unfounded since the prosecution had already seen a medical report in August this year.
Mr Sunil added that Su was also recommended to undergo a gastroscopy over his gastric risks but it has not taken place yet.
"We all know that when it comes to cancer, the faster you find out about it, the better," Mr Sunil continued.
He urged the court not to grant the adjournment because Su had already been called up to assist in an investigation in mid-2021.
Given that it has been almost three years since then, it would be "extremely unfair" for the prosecution to ask for more time, Mr Sunil added.
After hearing both sides, District Judge Brenda Tan said that it was reasonable to grant the prosecution an adjournment to check if the Singapore Prison Service is equipped to handle Su's condition.
The accused is set to return to court on Dec 15 for his bail review.
