A Singapore court has acquitted three women who organized a walk to the presidential office in support of the Palestinian cause. The women were initially charged with organizing an illegal procession, but a judge determined that their actions did not meet the full criteria for the charge. The case has drawn attention due to the strict regulations surrounding public demonstrations in Singapore, where authorities usually require a police permit for gatherings related to various causes.
The trial revolved around an event conducted in February 2024, which attracted around 70 participants. The women, community organizers Mossammad Sobikun Nahar and Siti Amirah Mohamed Asrori, along with Kokila Annamalai, led the walk from a shopping mall to the Istana, the presidential office. The participants were noted for carrying umbrellas designed to resemble watermelons, a symbol linked to the Palestinian cause. Prosecutors claimed the women had organized the procession without a permit in a restricted area. During the proceedings, the defense argued that the women were unaware that they were in a prohibited zone since their route was along public roads.
While the judge acknowledged that the women had organized a procession, he concluded they did not know it was illegal, given the absence of clear signage in the area. The verdict was met with surprise in a courtroom filled with supporters, as past cases had led to convictions for similar actions, raising questions about the implications for civil activism in Singapore.
In a further development, the Singapore prosecutorial office has indicated plans to file an appeal against the acquittal. Authorities have also launched inquiries into offline and online events linked to the Israel-Gaza conflict, signaling a broader scrutiny of public expressions of support for Palestine within the country.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdxrqyq5qqro?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss