3 women charged for allegedly organising watermelon umbrella procession outside Istana
Three women were charged in court on June 27 for their involvement in a procession along the perimeter of the Istana without a permit on Feb 2.
Siti Amirah Mohamed Asrori, 29, Annamalai Kokila Parvathi, 35, and Mossammad Sobikun Nahar, 25, had allegedly organised the procession to show their support for the Palestinian cause and solicited attendance online.
On Feb 2, a group of about 70 people gathered outside a shopping mall along Orchard Road and then walked as a group to the Istana while holding open umbrellas that had been painted with a watermelon graphic.
Annamalai was charged with one count of abetment of organising a public procession in a prohibited area.
She had previously been issued a stern warning on 5 December 2017 and a 24-month conditional warning on Nov 30, 2021 for her involvement in other public assemblies without a permit.
The other two women were each charged for one count of organising a public procession in a prohibited area.
Amirah is also under investigation for offences in a separate incident.
If found guilty, each woman could face a fine of up to $10,000, or imprisonment for a term of up to six months, or both.
Police investigations into others who may have been involved in the same event are ongoing.
The police said in a statement: "We understand that some people may feel strongly about the Israel-Hamas conflict, but they should not break the law to express their views, nor emulate the protestors in other countries.
"They could instead participate in the many forums and dialogues, and donation drives, which have been appropriately organised on the issue."
Earlier this month, the police said they were looking into the conduct of a procession of about 30 people who delivered letters to the Minister of Home Affairs on June 8.
