Singapore court acquits women for pro-Palestinian walk

Singapore has strict rules against protests and has effectively banned public gatherings related to the Israel-Gaza war.

Watch LiveBritish Broadcasting CorporationHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveDocumentariesHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifySportBusinessExecutive LoungeTechnology of BusinessFuture of BusinessInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceAI v the MindCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsArts in MotionTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListTo the Ends of The Earth EarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingAudioPodcast CategoriesRadioAudio FAQsVideoBBC MaestroLiveLive NewsLive SportDocumentariesHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveDocumentariesWeatherNewslettersWatch LiveSingaporean women acquitted over pro-Palestinian walk1 day agoShareSaveTessa WongAsia Digital ReporterShareSaveProvided by Kokila AnnamalaiSiti Amirah Mohamed Asrori, Kokila Annamalai and Mossammad Sobikun Nahar had been charged with organising an illegal processionA court in Singapore has acquitted three women who organised a walk to the presidential office to show support for the Palestinian cause.

The women were prosecuted for organising an illegal procession. But a judge ruled their actions did not meet the full charge.

One of the women told the BBC she felt that the unexpected acquittal would "give a new sense of energy and hope" to activists in Singapore.

Public demonstrations are uncommon in Singapore, which has very strict rules against protests and requires a police permit for any gathering promoting a cause. Authorities have also effectively banned public gatherings related to the Israel-Gaza war.

Any permit applications for public assemblies related to the Israel-Gaza war would be turned down because of the "real risk that such events could give rise to public disorder", as the war was a sensitive topic, authorities have said.