Three women who allegedly organized a gaggle of about 70 people to deliver letters to the Istana, the president’s official residence, to support the Palestinian cause were charged in court on Thursday.
They are Annamalai Kokila Parvathi (35 years old), Siti Amirah Mohamed Asrori (29 years old) and Mossammad Sobikun Nahar (25 years old).
All were charged under the Public Order Act for organising an unauthorised gathering or procession on February 2 along the borders of the Istana, a prohibited area.
Annamalai, a well known social activist, is claimed to have instigated the commission of the alleged crime by involving Mossammad, Siti Amirah, Alysha Mohamed Rahmat Shah, Anystasha Mohamed Rahmat Shah and other unknown individuals in her task.
All three women appeared in court accompanied by a gaggle of greater than 10 people, including outstanding activist Jolovan Wham.
The three defendants were represented by lawyer Derek Wong, who told the court he was only appointed on Wednesday. Wong asked for six weeks to submit his comments and said there was no indication at this stage that charges could be brought.
Wong added that he would file an urgent application for Annamalai to depart the country in July to go to family. That will probably be heard individually.
The three were then offered bail of A$5,000 (US$3,684).
Mossammad and Annamalai’s cases have been scheduled for further hearing on August 8, while Siti Amirah’s case will probably be heard on July 25. The prosecutor noted that a “similar case” of Siti Amirah is pending.
According to Singapore police, the ladies allegedly organised the procession to indicate support for the Palestinian cause, encouraging people to participate online.
On Feb. 2, a gaggle of about 70 people gathered along Orchard Road in front of a shopping center at around 2 p.m. and walked toward the Istana. They carried umbrellas with watermelon images painted on them, supporting the Palestinian cause amid the war between Israel and Gaza.
The colours of the watermelon are the identical as those on the Palestinian flag, and the fruit has develop into a logo of Palestinian solidarity.
According to social media posts, participants within the Letters for Palestine campaign walked from Plaza Singapura to the Istana to deliver letters addressed to then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Police added that Annamalai had earlier been given a strict warning on December 5, 2017, and a 24-month conditional warning on November 30, 2021, for participating in other public gatherings without permission.
Without giving details, police said Siti Amirah was being investigated for offences referring to a separate incident.
Police investigations are ongoing into other people involved in the identical incident.
Police urged the general public “not to interact in activities that may harm the peace, public order and social harmony that Singaporeans have worked hard to attain.”
“We understand that some people can have strong views on Israel’s conflict with Hamas, but they shouldn’t break the law to specific their views or imitate protesters in other countries,” police said.
“Instead, they could participate in the numerous forums and dialogues, as well as donation drives, that have been appropriately organized on this issue.”
If convicted, each could withstand six months in prison or a fantastic of as much as A$10,000.
