Singapore police extend investigation of Belgian charged with son's murder

Singapore police extend investigation of Belgian charged with son's murder
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Summary A Facebook account in his name showed a collection of happy photos with his son Keryan.

SINGAPORE (AFP) - Singapore police have a further eight weeks to complete their investigation into a Belgian financial executive charged with murdering his five-year-old son, after state prosecutors Wednesday requested more time.

Philippe Graffart, 42, has been charged with murder -- an offence punishable in Singapore by hanging -- for the death of his son, Keryan, at an upmarket condominium in October.

Graffart s lawyer, Ramesh Tiwary, had no objections to the state prosecutors  request during a pre-trial appearance at a district court.

Graffart was arrested before dawn on October 6 after arriving at a police station with self-inflicted wounds and was charged with murder on October 7. He will continue to be held at the central police division until the next pre-trial hearing on January 29.

He was moved from a medical complex at Changi Prison to the central police division near the trial court in late November following more than a month of psychiatric assessment.

Local media reported that Graffart s son was found by police strangled in his bedroom with hand-shaped bruises around the neck. Graffart was believed to be fighting custody for the son with his former wife.

A charge sheet said Graffart "did commit murder by causing the death" of his son at his 32nd floor apartment.

The Belgian s LinkedIn account describes him as an executive director and head of fund distribution in the Asia-Pacific region for Oslo-based Nordea Investment Management.

A Facebook account in his name showed a collection of happy photos with his son Keryan.

"Happy Birthday to you Keryan! 5 years i am so proud of you!," said a post dated September 25.
 

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