Financial Times article on Shane Todd is 'innacurate' and 'mischievous'

Singapore police have labelled a recent Financial Times report on American engineer Dr Shane Todd as "inaccurate", "mischievous" and "calculated to interfere with the administration of justice in Singapore". According to local television Channel NewsAsia (CNA), the article, dated May 10 and titled "Singapore inquiry prepares to open into Shane Todd's death", reported that the police gave Dr Todd's parents different versions of how he died.

Police said the paper made no attempts to confirm this with them and that the article "grossly misrepresented" its position because alleged statements exchanged between Dr Todd's parents and the police about the death were presented as facts.

According to the article, the police had told Mr and Mrs Todd that their son had drilled holes in the bathroom wall, affixed bolts and wrapped the strap through a pulley over the door.

Police said this was "highly inappropriate" and whether such statements were actually made is to be determined by the State Coroner.

More than 60 witnesses have been lined up for the Coroner's Inquiry into the death of Dr Shane Todd.

However, only half that number are likely to take the stand, with the rest providing recorded statements.

His friends will be among the first on the stand when the inquiry begins on Monday. Other witnesses include the pathologist, police officers, and his parents.

The 31-year-old American was found hanged in his apartment in Chinatown. His parents believe he was murdered over research he had done while working for Singapore's Institute of Microelectronics.

During the inquiry, which is public and open, they will have the chance to raise concerns relating to the case.

The inquiry will stretch till end-May. After that, the state coroner will review the evidence, and independently determine the cause of Dr Todd's death.