Trio Acquitted After Pro-Palestinian Procession in Singapore

A district court in Singapore acquitted three women of charges related to organizing a pro-Palestinian procession, concluding they were unaware that their chosen route violated the Public Order Act. The ruling was issued on October 21, 2024, and the women expressed relief as they left the courtroom.

The three defendants, Mossammad Sobikun Nahar, aged 26, Siti Amirah Mohamed Asrori, 30, and Annamalai Kokila Parvathi, 37, faced one charge each for organizing a public procession in support of Palestine. This event took place on February 2, 2024, along the perimeter of the Istana, the official residence of the President of Singapore. The court’s decision was met with applause from supporters in the public gallery.

District Judge John Ng acknowledged that the prosecution successfully demonstrated that Nahar and Asrori had organized the procession, with Parvathi assisting on the day of the event. However, he ruled that the prosecution failed to establish that the women should have reasonably known the route was prohibited. The judge pointed out that the area outside the Istana is a public space, lacking any signage indicating restrictions on public gatherings.

Judge Ng noted that there had been numerous similar events previously where individuals delivered letters to the Istana’s rear gate, which houses the mailroom. He emphasized that the evidence showed the defendants were “trying their level best not to run afoul of the law” while attempting to deliver letters in support of their cause. Despite their intentions, the court classified their actions as a procession under the law.

If convicted, the trio faced potential penalties of up to six months in prison, fines of up to S$10,000, or both. Their acquittal not only marked a significant outcome for the women but also raised broader questions about the rights to public assembly and expression in Singapore.

As the case drew to a close, many observers highlighted the implications of the ruling for future demonstrations and public expressions of solidarity. The court’s decision underscores the importance of clarity regarding public assembly laws and the need for effective communication of such regulations to the populace.

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