Vigils, prayers mark Nguyen's execution

Anti-death penalty activists place candles outside Changi prison during the hours before Nguyen Tuong Van's execution. Picture / Reuters

SINGAPORE - The Singaporean government has confirmed the execution of convicted drug trafficker Nguyen Tuong Van, according to a report by the Associated Press news agency.

"The sentence was carried out this morning at Changi Prison," the Home Affairs Ministry said in an e-mailed statement to the agency.

Nguyen went to the gallows this morning amid silent protests in Australia and a vigil by his twin brother at Singapore's Changi Prison.

The Australian drug trafficker was hanged at 6am local time (11am NZDT) after the Singapore government ruled out any last-minute reprieve. 

In Melbourne a church where Nguyen went to school tolled its bell 25 times - once for every year of his life.

In Singapore and in cities across Australia, there were protest vigils to mark the first execution of an Australian since Michael McAuliffe in Malaysia in 1993.

- AAP