3 women charged over organising pro-Palestine rally in Singapore

Three women who allegedly organised a group of about 70 people that delivered letters to the Istana, the official residence of the president, in support of the Palestinian cause were charged in court on Thursday.

They are Annamalai Kokila Parvathi, 35, Siti Amirah Mohamed Asrori, 29, and Mossammad Sobikun Nahar, 25.

All were charged under the Public Order Act for organising an assembly or procession without a permit on February 2 along the perimeter of the Istana, a prohibited area.

Annamalai, a known civil activist, is said to have abetted the alleged offence by engaging Mossammad, Siti Amirah, Alysha Mohamed Rahmat Shah, Anystashe Mohamed Rahmat Shah, and other unknown persons, in her commission.

All three women appeared in court and were accompanied by a group of more than 10 people that included prominent activist Jolovan Wham.

The three accused were represented by lawyer Derek Wong, who told the court he had only been appointed on Wednesday. Wong asked for six weeks to make representations and said there was no indication of plea at this point.

Wong added that he would be making an urgent application for Annamalai to leave the country in July to visit family. This will be heard separately.

All three were then offered bail of S$5,000 (US$3,684).

Mossammad and Annamalai’s cases were fixed for further mentions on August 8, while Siti Amirah’s will be heard on July 25. The prosecutor noted that Siti Amirah had a “similar case” pending.

According to the Singapore Police Force, the women had allegedly organised a procession to show their support for the Palestinian cause, including soliciting attendance online.

On February 2, a group of about 70 people had assembled along Orchard Road outside a shopping centre at about 2pm and