In a significant legal outcome, a Singapore district court acquitted three women who organized a pro-Palestinian walk to the presidential office, determining they lacked knowledge that their route was prohibited. The decision has injected fresh optimism into activist circles in a nation with rigid protest laws.
On February 2, 2024, Mossammad Sobikun Nahar, Siti Amirah Mohamed Asrori, and Kokila Annamalai led about 70 participants from Plaza Singapura mall to the Istana’s rear gate to deliver letters advocating for Palestinian rights. The group carried umbrellas adorned with watermelon patterns, widely recognized as a symbol of the Palestinian cause, during the walk. Prosecutors later charged the trio with organizing an illegal procession under Singapore’s Public Order Act, alleging they publicized a cause without a permit in a prohibited area.
During the trial, the defense argued that the women were unaware the pavement along the Istana perimeter was off-limits, as it was a public access route with no signage indicating restrictions. District Judge John Ng concurred, noting in his October 21, 2025 ruling that the organizers had “an honest and reasonable belief” they were complying with the law. He emphasized that previous similar walks to deliver mail had occurred without incident, reinforcing their perception that the route was permissible.
Judge Ng found that the prosecution proved the women organized a procession to express solidarity with Palestinians but failed to establish they should have known the area was prohibited. He described their efforts to avoid legal breaches as genuine, though he criticized attempts to minimize their intentions, calling such defenses “disingenuous.” The acquittal hinged on the absence of mens rea, or guilty mind, regarding the location’s status.
Singapore’s strict public order framework requires police permits for any assembly promoting a cause, and authorities have explicitly barred gatherings related to the Israel-Gaza war due to sensitivities. This case highlights the tension between maintaining social harmony and upholding freedom of expression in the city-state. Past convictions for unlawful assemblies, even small-scale ones, have set precedents that made this acquittal unexpected.
The verdict sparked jubilation among supporters in the courtroom, with loud cheers echoing as the women embraced outside the State Courts. Sobikun expressed gratitude for community support, while Annamalai termed it an “incomplete victory” and underscored the long fight ahead for civil liberties and Palestinian freedom. The prosecution has announced it will appeal the decision, potentially prolonging the legal battle.
This ruling may inspire renewed activism in Singapore, where civil society often navigates tight regulations. However, with ongoing investigations into other pro-Palestinian events, the acquittal represents a tentative step rather than a sweeping change. It underscores the complexities of balancing national security concerns with the right to peaceful protest in a multicultural society.