Territorians vigil for Van

TERRITORIANS held a vigil for condemned Australian drug trafficker Nguyen Tuong Van this morning just hours before his execution.

Parishioners of the Christ Church Cathedral in Smith St were invited to join Reverend Michael Nixon this morning.

Van is expected to be executed by hanging at 9am local time.

Rev Nixon said the punishment does not fit the crime and should be protested.

"He's been a silly idiot to carry drugs, but is a small pawn in a big business and it's those at the top that need to be caught," he said.

"He's fully confessed to the crime, has been most helpful with with police in informing them of contacts and from the look of it, is very repentant." Rev Nixon contacted the Anglican Archbishop of South-East Asia to plead for Nguyen's life.

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: Fri, 02 December 2005
Source: Northern Territory News (Australia)
Copyright: 2005 Northern Territory News
Contact: ntnmail@ntn.newsltd.com.au
Website: http://ntnews.news.com.au/