Three women, including one of Indian-origin, accused of organising a pro-Palestine procession outside Singapore’s presidential palace were acquitted on Tuesday, October 21, after a court ruled that they did not know the route they took was restricted.
The case dates back to February 2, 2024, when a group of around 70 people walked to the rear gate of the Istana to deliver letters supporting the Palestinian cause to the Prime Minister’s Office, which is located inside the presidential complex. Among those charged were Indian-origin citizen Annamalai Kokila Parvathi, 37, and two Singaporean women.
Prosecutors had argued that the trio violated the Public Order Act by organising a procession in a prohibited area without police approval. However, District Judge John Ng found that the women could not reasonably have known that the path outside the Istana’s perimeter was part of a restricted zone.
According to the court, there were no visible signs, barriers, or warnings to suggest that the route was off-limits. The judge also noted that similar walks to deliver letters at the same location had taken place in the past without incident. He concluded that the three had acted with “an honest and reasonable belief” that they were not breaking any law.
With this ruling, all charges against the women were dismissed. The judge added that the prosecution failed to prove intent or awareness of wrongdoing, which is a key requirement under the Public Order Act.
The case had drawn attention because of its link to public expressions of support for Palestine, an issue that has led to tighter scrutiny of gatherings in Singapore. Under the city-state’s laws, any procession or public event seen as political in nature requires prior approval, especially if held near government buildings or national landmarks.
Following the judgment, Annamalai said the decision represented only a partial victory and that efforts to protect civil liberties and advocate for Palestine’s freedom must continue.
