"He is completely rehabilitated, completely reformed, completely focused on doing what is good and now they are going to kill him."

Lasry also spoke of Nguyen's calm and dignity in the face of his own death. "We've just had a beautiful last visit. It was a great visit and quite uplifting," Lasry said, apparently struggling to maintain his own composure.

The High Commissioner of Singapore today defended the execution, as the Australian Government, having failed to stop it diplomatically, called it "barbaric."

Attorney-General Philip Ruddock branded Nguyen's impending execution as abhorrent, especially because the sentence was mandatory and mitigating circumstances were ignored. "It's a most unfortunate, barbaric act that is occurring," Ruddock told Sky television Thursday.

No word yet on whether Nguyen's mother will be allowed to give her son a hug on his way to the gallows.

Australian readers weigh in here.

Update: Singapore will let Nguyen's mother and brother hold his hand before going