Singapore High Court Fines Pro-Palestinian Activists 2026: Acquittal Overturned

Published: 30 April 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

In a landmark ruling that has sparked intense debate over civil liberties in the city-state, the Singapore High Court today overturned the acquittal of three women involved in a 2024 pro-Palestinian procession. Annamalai Kokila Parvathi, Siti Amirah Mohamed Asrori, and Mossammad Sobikun Nahar were each fined S$3,000 (£1,770) after a judge ruled that they “ought reasonably to have known” they were violating the Public Order Act by walking within a prohibited zone near the Istana, the presidential palace.

The decision marks the end of a protracted legal battle that began in February 2024, when the trio led a group of 70 people through a popular shopping district to deliver letters of protest to the Prime Minister’s Office. The walk, characterized by participants carrying umbrellas painted with watermelon motifs—a global symbol of Palestinian solidarity—has now become a focal point for the limits of political expression in Singapore.

Today’s verdict by Justice See Kee Oon completely reverses a District Court decision from October 2025, which had originally acquitted the women.

The Original Acquittal: A district judge had previously ruled that the women lacked “actual knowledge” that their route fell within a prohibited area, noting there were no clear signs on the public pavement indicating a restricted zone.

The Prosecution’s Appeal: High Court prosecutors successfully argued that the district judge had made an “error in law.” They contended that “ignorance of the law is no excuse” and that the activists had a responsibility to check government gazettes and police advisories before organizing the event.

The High Court Verdict: Justice See agreed, stating it was “disconcerting” that the lower court had not applied the correct legal test. He ruled that the organizers should have made “appropriate enquiries” given the high-security nature of the Istana.

The 2024 walk was notable for its creative use of imagery to bypass Singapore’s strict anti-protest laws.

Symbolic Solidarity: Because public displays of the Palestinian flag are heavily restricted in Singapore, participants used watermelon-themed umbrellas to mirror the flag’s colors (red, green, black, and white).

The Delivery Mission: The defense argued the walk was not a “procession” but a peaceful collective effort to hand-deliver letters to the mail drop-off point at the Istana’s rear gate.

The Public Order Act (POA): Under Singaporean law, any assembly or procession to publicize a cause requires a police permit. Authorities have effectively banned all public gatherings related to the Israel-Gaza conflict since October 2023, citing the risk of disturbing “racial and religious harmony.”

The fines have been met with “deep disappointment” by local civil society groups.

“This isn’t just about three women; it’s about the space for conscience in Singapore,” said Annamalai Kokila Parvathi outside the court. “We believe civil disobedience has an important role in a healthy democracy, but today the law has chosen to prioritize ‘prohibition’ over ‘expression’.”

The ruling comes amidst a global “long tail” of legal fallout from the Middle East conflict. As the King’s visit to Washington emphasizes the U.S.-UK-Singapore security axis, the city-state’s government remains firm that “foreign causes” must not be imported into its domestic politics.

While the prosecution did not seek a jail term, the maximum penalty for the offence could have reached six months in prison or a S$10,000 fine.

The “Mule” Parallel: Similar to the RBI’s new “speed breakers” in India, Singaporean authorities argue that “friction” in the form of strict permits is necessary to prevent social volatility.

The Global Mirror: The case reflects similar “protest crackdowns” seen in Berlin and London, though Singapore’s lack of a constitutional right to “peaceful assembly” (without a permit) makes its legal landscape uniquely challenging for activists.

As the “Watermelon Walkers” pay their fines today, the message from the Singaporean bench is clear: in the pursuit of solidarity, the “reasonable enquiry” of the law must come before the convictions of the heart.

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