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Singapore Court Acquits Trio in Istana Procession Case as Prosecution Plans Appeal

The judge ruled the state failed to prove the organisers ought reasonably to have known their route lay within a prohibited area.

Overview

  • District Judge John Ng found the physical elements of a procession were proven but ruled the Public Order Act charge required a mental element the prosecution did not establish.
  • The court cited the lack of signage on the public pavement around the Istana and prior letter-delivery walks using the same path as supporting an honest and reasonable belief.
  • Mossammad Sobikun Nahar, 26, Siti Amirah Mohamed Asrori, 30, and Annamalai Kokila Parvathi, 37, were cleared of organising or assisting the Feb 2, 2024 walk.
  • About 70 people walked from Plaza Singapura to the Istana’s rear gate to deliver letters on Palestine, with some carrying watermelon-pattern umbrellas as a solidarity symbol.
  • If convicted, the offence carried up to six months’ jail, a fine of up to S$10,000, or both, and prosecutors have said they will appeal the acquittal.