More psychiatric tests for Belgian man charged with son's murder in Singapore

Philippe Graffart, 41, was charged with murder earlier this month for the death of his son Keryan at an upmarket condominium near Singapore's embassy row, an offence punishable by hanging.

Graffart was remanded for psychiatric observation at the medical complex in Changi Prison after he was charged on October 7.

On Wednesday, state prosecutors told a district court judge they had been informed by psychiatrists at the Institute of Mental Health that they needed four more weeks to assess the accused.

Another hearing was set for November 25.

Graffart was not brought to court but appeared on a large screen linked to Changi Prison.

Dressed in prison clothes, he looked composed as he answered "yes" to a question by the judge on whether he understood the proceedings. He also said he preferred English as his main language.

Defence lawyer Ramesh Tiwary said he also spoke to the psychiatrist assessing his client and had no objection to another four weeks in remand.

Graffart's charge sheet said he "did commit murder by causing the death" of Keryan between the evening of October 5 and the morning of October 6 on their 32nd floor condominium unit.

No other details were given but local media said the boy was found strangled, with hand-shaped bruises around his neck, inside his bedroom, and that Graffart was believed to have been fighting for custody of his son with his former wife.

Graffart was arrested before dawn on October 6 after showing up with self-inflicted wounds outside a police station.

The Belgian's account on business networking service LinkedIn described him as an executive director and head of fund distribution in the Asia-Pacific for Nordea Investment Management, based in Oslo.

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

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