SINGAPORE: Three women were acquitted in a district court on 21 October 2024 after facing charges under the Public Order Act for organising a procession in support of Palestine. The ruling sparked celebrations in the courtroom as District Judge John Ng found that the prosecution failed to prove the women knew they were in a prohibited area.
The Procession and Charges
Ms Mossammad Sobikun Nahar, 26, Ms Siti Amirah Mohamed Asrori, 30, and Ms Annamalai Kokila Parvathi, 37, were accused of organising a procession along a route close to the Istana. This took place between 2pm and 3pm on 2 February 2024, which the prosecution claimed was a prohibited area.
- Ms Sobikun and Ms Amirah organised the event, while Ms Annamalai was accused of assisting.
- If convicted, the women faced potential penalties of up to six months in jail or fines reaching S$10,000.
Judge’s Findings
Judge Ng stated that the prosecution established that a