Tan Seet Eng, the suspected ringleader of a worldwide football match-fixing syndicate has been set free as his detention for more than 2 years was considered unlawful, as ordered by The Court of Appeal of Singapore.
Also known as Dan Tan, Tan Seet Eng was one of the 14 individuals arrested in what was called Singapore's largest crackdown on match-fixing football games in September 2013. He was jailed in October 2013 following the accusation of Italian prosecutors that he ran a global crime syndicate that rigged Italian matches and other games worldwide. Of course, he has denied any wrongdoing.
Tan was accused of being the brains behind a crime syndicate that operated by fixing football matches all over the world, including Italy's Serie A and Serie B. In May 2013, he was also charged by a Hungarian court for allegedly rigging 32 games in Finland, Italy and Hungary.
The suspected match-fixing mastermind was detained under Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act, which permits the Minister of Home Affairs to keep suspects in custody indefinitely without trial. This specific law is normally used against loan sharks, members of underground syndicates, drug traffickers and illegal gambling bosses.
Ronald Noble, the Interpol Chief, described that Tan's group is probably "the largest and most aggressive match-fixing syndicate, with tentacles reaching every continent".
Thong Chee Kun and Hamidul Haq, the lawyers hired by Tan, challenged his ongoing detention, stating that he was illegally apprehended as the alleged offenses occurred outside the jurisdiction of Singapore.
On Wednesday, a three-judge appeals court ruled that Tan's detention was unlawful, and there was nothing to suggest that his alleged international match-fixing activities jeopardized public safety, peace and good order in Singapore.
The accusations against Tan, including the football matches in Nigeria, Turkey, South Africa and Egypt, have actually set out few connections with Singapore. Sundaresh Menon, the Chief Justice, stated that "the matches fixed, whether or not successfully, all took place beyond our shores. There is nothing in the grounds to indicate he was working with overseas criminal syndicates or to suggest that such activities are likely to take root in Singapore, by reason of anything he has done or threatens to do".
source: calvinayre.com
