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Singapore teen behind anti-Lee Kuan Yew video faces charges

Maxim

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Singapore teen behind anti-Lee Kuan Yew video faces charges

AFP
March 31, 2015, 5:06 am

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Singapore (AFP) - A Singaporean teenager arrested for posting an expletive-laden YouTube video attacking Christianity and the country's late founding leader Lee Kuan Yew will be charged in court with "wounding" religious feelings, harassment and circulating obscene content, police said Tuesday.

Police said they "received more than 20 reports regarding an online video that contained, in part, insensitive and disparaging remarks against Christians".

"Police arrested a 16-year-old male Singaporean in relation to the said video" on Sunday, the police statement released early Tuesday said.

It said the young man -- unnamed but identified by local media as Amos Yee -- would be charged in court later Tuesday.

Police said the suspect was facing three separate charges, including for actions that have "deliberate intention of wounding the religious or racial feelings of any person".

Yee will also be charged for "putting into circulation" an obscene object as well as for "threatening, abusive or insulting communication" under the city-state's newly enacted Protection from Harassment Act.

In an eight-minute video titled "Lee Kuan Yew is finally dead" Yee launched a scathing attack on the 91-year-old political patriarch who was cremated after a state funeral Sunday.

In the video, Yee also likened the city-state's first prime minister to Jesus Christ as he launched a tirade against Christianity.

"Lee Kuan Yew was a horrible person... everyone is scared, everyone is afraid that if they say something like that they might get into trouble," Yee said on the video.

He challenged the former leader's son, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, to sue him.

The video been taken down from his YouTube page but others have reproduced it in part or in full.

- Tough laws -

"Police take a stern view of acts that could threaten religious harmony in Singapore," deputy commissioner Tan Chye Hee said in the police statement.

He added: "Any person who uploads offensive content online with deliberate intention of wounding the religious or racial feelings of any person will be firmly dealt with in accordance with the law."

Lee, credited with laying the foundations for Singapore's prosperity as prime minister from 1959 to 1990, was given a hero's sendoff Sunday, with more than 100,000 people lining the streets for his casket's final procession despite torrential rain.

Lee was revered by citizens for Singapore's prosperity and social stability but also criticised by rights groups for entrenching a system that called for one dominant political party, the muzzling of the press and curbing political liberties including free speech.

Some Singaporeans who openly questioned Lee's record and scoffed at the emotional reaction of many to his death have been attacked in social media by his supporters.

The government says 454,687 people -- in a nation with just 3.34 million citizens -- had paid their last respects to Lee before his public wake ended in parliament on Saturday.

If convicted, Yee faces up to three years in jail, a fine, or both for the first charge of deliberately wounding religious or racial feelings.

For circulating obscene content, he faces up to three months in jail, a fine or both, and a fine of up to Sg$5,000 under the harassment law enacted last year.

Yee will be charged in a district court. Singapore's Juvenile Court only deals with cases involving suspects below the age of 16.


 

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Amos Yee, who made insensitive remarks on Christianity in video, arrested


Published on Mar 30, 2015 2:46 AM

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17-year-old teenager Amos Yee in a YouTube video in which he celebrated Mr Lee Kuan Yew's death and made insensitive remarks about Christianity. At least 20 police reports have been lodged against him since Mar 27, 2015. -- SCREENSHOT: YOUTUBE

By Joyce Lim

SINGAPORE - The 17-year-old teenager who made insensitive remarks about Christianity in a YouTube video against Mr Lee Kuan Yew was arrested on Sunday.

In the video posted last week, he celebrated Singapore's founding Prime Minister's death and criticised his political career.

He also challenged Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to sue him.

At least 20 police reports have been lodged against Amos Yee since March 27, when he was believed to have uploaded the eight-minute video.

On Sunday, one reader alerted The Straits Times to yet another police report lodged against the teenager, but this time it was regarding his posting of obscene material on his blog.

The video, which has been slammed by netizens, is no longer available on his YouTube channel. The blogpost has also been taken down.



 

winnipegjets

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Asset
Pinoys hurl worst insults at sinkees ...no problem. Ministars keep quiet. Police pretend don't know.

This case ...Deputy Commissioner involved. What lah?
 

Maxim

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Amos Yee charged with 3 offences against Mr Lee Kuan Yew and Christianity

AsiaOne Tuesday, Mar 31, 2015

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Amos Yee, 16, (right) arriving in court with his parents on March 31, 2015. The teen is accused of posting a video online that insulted Christianity and allegedly celebrated the death of Singapore's founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew.

SINGAPORE - The teenager, who put up an anti-Lee Kuan Yew video, was charged in court today for uploading online materials with the intention to hurt the feelings of Christians, and for making offensive remarks on former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew.

Amos Yee Pang Sang, 16, who was arrested on Sunday, faces three charges under Section 298 and Section 292(1)(a) of the Penal Code, and Section 4(1)(b) of the Protection from Harassment Act, reported the local media.

Yee is also said to have have uploaded an image showing obscene figures of the late Mr Lee and Mrs Margaret Thatcher, who was Britain's former prime minister, reported The Straits Times website.

The third charge accuses him of making an insulting video clip online containing remarks about Mr Lee which was intended to be heard and seen by people likely to be distressed by it, it added.

Many Singaporeans have hit out at the insensitive comments he made with bravado in the video at a time when the nation was mourning the death of Singapore's first prime minister. They were aghast with his comment that it was his hope that the late Mr Lee would not rest in peace.

More than 20 police reports were made against him.

Yee, who was not represented, indicated he wished to engage a lawyer.

Yee was granted a bail $20,000 under the condition that he will not post, upload or otherwise distribute any comment or content, whether directly or indirectly, to any social media or online service or website.

A pre-trial conference has been fixed for April 17.

Today, his father reportedly told reporters that he would like to apologise to Mr Lee's son, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong for Yee's actions. The newspapers today reported that his mother had made a police report on his ungovernable behaviour.

[email protected]


 

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Father of Singapore blogger critical of Lee Kuan Yew apologises for son’s behaviour

Teenage blogger charged with wounding religious feelings, other offences over video in which he called late leader a 'horrible person'

PUBLISHED : Tuesday, 31 March, 2015, 11:24am
UPDATED : Tuesday, 31 March, 2015, 11:06pm

Agence France-Presse in Singapore

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Amos Yee (right) is accompanied to court by his father. The teenager compared Lee Kuan Yew to Jesus Christ, and made disparaging remarks about Christians, the police said. Photo: AFP

The father of teenage Singaporean blogger Amos Yee has tearfully apologised for the behaviour of his son, who was charged with offences yesterday over an expletive-laden online critique of Lee Kuan Yew and Christianity.

Yee was charged with offences including obscenity and hurting religious feelings over the YouTube video, in which he described Lee, the country's late founding leader, as a "horrible person" who was, like Jesus Christ, "power hungry and malicious". Yee was arrested on Sunday, the day of Lee's funeral.

The slight student with a thick mop of hair smiled and fidgeted as charges were read to him yesterday in a district court. He was released by the court on S$20,000 (HK$113,000) bail.

Outside the courtroom, his teary-eyed father clasped his hands and told reporters: "I would like to take this opportunity to say very sorry to PM Lee."

But his son later smiled and waved to reporters as they left the court building.

The controversial video has been taken down from the teenager's YouTube page but other people have reproduced it in part or in full.

Yee, who at 16 is old enough to be tried as an adult, was already known in the local YouTube community for humorous postings and a bit role as a child actor in a comedy movie called We Not Naughty.

Yee was slapped with three separate charges, including one for actions that have the "deliberate intention of wounding the religious or racial feelings of any person".

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Amos Yee and his mother (left) walk out of court in Singapore. The teen activist blogger faces up to three years in prison or a hefty fine, or both. Photo: AFP

Yee was also charged with circulating on his blog an obscene object - a graphic cartoon of Lee with former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher - as well as making threatening, abusive or insulting communication under the city-state's newly enacted Protection from Harassment Act.

In the eight-minute video titled Lee Kuan Yew Is Finally Dead Yee launched a scathing attack on the 91-year-old political patriarch, who was cremated after a state funeral on Sunday. italic

In the video, Yee challenged the former leader's son, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, to sue him.

In an online petition to the Singapore government on activist website change.org petitioners who described themselves as Christians have called for Yee's release. It had garnered more than 1,500 supporters by yesterday afternoon.

"Please release Amos Yee. We forgive him and desire he have a full life of contribution to his community ahead of him," read the letter.

But others criticised Yee's actions. "Please Amos, be rational and not be rash. There's nothing worse than causing distress to ur [sic] family," wrote Gladys Elizabeth Dee on the Yahoo! Singapore Facebook page.

If convicted, Yee faces up to three years in jail, a fine or both for the first charge of deliberately wounding religious or racial feelings. For circulating obscene content, he faces up to three months in jail, a fine or both, and a fine of up to S$5,000 under the harassment law, which was enacted last year.

 

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Singaporean boy behind Lee Kuan Yew death hoax gets ‘stern warning’


PUBLISHED : Tuesday, 07 April, 2015, 3:53pm
UPDATED : Tuesday, 07 April, 2015, 5:07pm

Agence France-Presse in Singapore

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Pallbearers adjust the national flag of Singapore covering the coffin of Lee Kuan Yew during a state funeral held at the University Cultural Center, in Singapore on March 29, 2015. Members of the public queue to pay their respects to Lee. Photo: AP

A Singaporean boy behind a hoax that triggered premature reports about the death of Singapore’s founding leader Lee Kuan Yew has been let off with a “stern warning” in lieu of charges, police said today.

A screenshot of a fake statement that appeared to be from the website of the Prime Minister’s Office announcing Lee’s death was widely circulated via social media and mobile messaging services on March 18, five days before Lee died in hospital after a long illness.

A number of international media organisations issued news alerts based on the fake statement, which they later retracted.

The Singapore Police Force said today that it had “completed investigations” into the case.

“The culprit is a male Singaporean student below 16 years of age,” it said in a statement.

The boy cannot be named in public due to his age.

“In consultation with the Attorney-General’s Chambers, the police have issued him with a stern warning in lieu of prosecution,” the statement added, referring to Singapore’s state prosecution arm.

The AGC, quoted by the Straits Times newspaper’s website, said the boy only shared the fake image with friends to show “how easy it was for a hoax to be perpetuated”, but it was quickly forwarded to other persons.

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Singapore teenager Amos Yee (right) was arrested and charged for uploading a YouTube video celebrating Lee's death. His father (left) later apologised for his son's actions. Photo: AFP

The bogus reports on Lee’s death forced government-linked media and politicians from the ruling People’s Action Party to take to social media to quash widespread rumours.

Lee, the father of current Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, died on March 23 after being treated at the Singapore General Hospital for seven weeks due to severe pneumonia.

Lee, praised for turning Singapore into a vibrant global financial hub during his rule as prime minister from 1959 to 1990, was cremated on March 29 after a week of national mourning and a grand state funeral.

Last month, another Singaporean blogger, Amos Yee, 16, was charged for uploading an expletive-laden online critique of Lee Kuan Yew and Christianity.

Yee was charged with offences including obscenity and hurting religious feelings over the eight-minute YouTube video. Yee was arrested on the day of Lee's funeral.

Yee was also charged with circulating on his blog an obscene object - a graphic cartoon of Lee with former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher - as well as making threatening, abusive or insulting communication under the city-state's newly enacted Protection from Harassment Act.

The student and amateur actor was later released by the court after posting bail of S$20,000 (HK$113,000).

Outside the courtroom, his teary-eyed father clasped his hands and told reporters: "I would like to take this opportunity to say very sorry to PM Lee."


 

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Amos Yee likely to spend weekend in remand after no one bails him out


Published on Apr 18, 2015 1:41 PM

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Amos Yee (centre) and his parents arriving in court for his pre-trial conference on April 17, 2015. Yee is likely to spend the weekend in jail after no one turned up to bail out the 16-year-old on Saturday. The last registration for bail on Saturdays is 12pm. -- ST PHOTO: WONG KWAI CHOW

By Amir Hussain

SINGAPORE - Amos Yee is likely to spend the weekend in jail after no one turned up to bail out the 16-year-old on Saturday. The last registration for bail on Saturdays is 12pm.

During a pre-trial conference on Friday, District Judge Kessler Soh converted the $20,000 police bail Amos had been on to court bail, requiring bail to be reposted. But his parents decided against posting bail, which meant that the teenager was led away in handcuffs to be put in remand.

Amos was charged on March 31 with attacking Christianity, transmitting an obscene image and posting an online video that insulted founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. He agreed as condition of his bail not to post anything online until his case is decided. But on Tuesday, he asked for donations to fund legal fees on his blog and Facebook page. The blog post included links to the offensive videos and posts that landed him in trouble in the first place.

The judge on Friday imposed new bail conditions, which include him taking down his latest posts.


 

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Amos Yee, the teen in trouble for his online rants, continues his stay behind bars


Published on Apr 20, 2015 5:10 PM

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Amos Yee (centre), flanked by his parents, arriving in the State Court on April 17, 2015. Amos continued his stay in remand after no one turned up to bail out him over the weekend and on Monday. -- ST PHOTO: WONG KWAI CHOW

By Amir Hussain

SINGAPORE - Amos Yee, the 16-year-old whose online rants against Christianity have landed him in trouble with the law, continued his stay in remand after no one turned up to bail him out over the weekend and on Monday.

During a pre-trial conference last Friday, District Judge Kessler Soh had converted the $20,000 police bail that Amos had been on to court bail, requiring bail to be reposted. But his parents decided against posting bail, which meant the teenager had to be put in remand.

Amos was charged on March 31 with attacking Christianity, transmitting an obscene image and making an online video containing remarks about founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew that offended viewers. He agreed as a condition of his bail not to post anything online until his case is decided.

But last Tuesday, he asked for donations to fund legal fees, on his blog and Facebook page. The blog post included links to the offensive videos and posts that led to him being charged in the first place.

On Saturday, a spokesman for the Attorney-General's Chambers made it clear after queries by The Straits Times that the only reason the teenager remained in remand over the weekend was that no one had come forward to provide the bail. The last registration for bail on Saturdays is at 12pm and the bail office is closed on Sundays.

The spokesman added that potential bailors did not have to deposit the $20,000 with the court, but simply pledge that they are good for the money. They also need to show they can ensure that Amos sticks to the bail conditions and shows up in court when required.

The last registration for bail on weekdays is at 5.30pm.

The teen's next pre-trial conference is on May 13. A bail review will be held on Tuesday.


 

methink

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As long as Famous Amos does not agree to the new conditions, he need not take down his posts. Yes he may have to stay longer in prison, but the world is looking with interest at this funny form of punishment!

Anyway, I will be at Court #17 at 4 pm today to observe this bullying trial of a 16 year old boy.
 

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Amos Yee, who has three lawyers now, has been bailed out by a counsellor


Published on Apr 21, 2015 7:00 PM

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Amos Yee waving at photographer after he was bailed out on April 21, 2015. -- ST PHOTO: AZIZ HUSSIN

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Amos Yee and his mother leaving the State Courts after he was bailed out by family and youth counsellor Mr Vincent Law. -- ST PHOTO: AZIZ HUSSIN

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Amos Yee's bailor is family and youth counsellor Mr Vincent Law, 51. -- ST PHOTO: AZIZ HUSSIN  

By Amir Hussain

SINGAPORE - Amos Yee, the 16-year-old whose online rants against Christianity have landed him in trouble with the law, is out on bail after spending four nights in remand.

Yee was brought from the court lockup to the bail centre at 6pm in handcuffs and leg shackles, escorted by five auxiliary police officers and three police officers.

His bailor is Mr Vincent Law, 51, a family and youth counsellor.

Said Mr Law: "I'm a Christian and it seems that the charge said that he made disparaging remarks against Christianity. I'm a Christian and I'm stepping up to say that I'm not offended."

"I'm also a parent and I feel for his parents."

He added that he hopes Yee is willing to be counselled by him, and reckons the youth may "respond better to a third party", especially since he is a counsellor.

Yee also has three lawyers representing him pro bono now.

Lawyer Alfred Dodwell told District Judge Ronald Gwee that he would be representing Yee along with lawyers Chong Jia Hao and Ervin Tan.

Mr Dodwell also told the court that someone was on the way to post bail for the teenager, who had been in remand since last Friday after his parents did not post bail.

The lawyer got in touch with Yee's parents two days ago.

Speaking to reporters later, Mr Dodwell said the lawyers are representing Yee because of his age and because "we believe everybody needs legal representation".

He said they did not condone or approve of what Yee did, but wanted to provide him with "proper legal representation so that he can be advised of the three charges" that he is facing.

The lawyers also handed out a statement to reporters, explaining why they were acting for him. It said that "the fundamental tenets of access to justice is enhanced if any person - including a 16 year-old accused of criminal offences - is represented by lawyers, instead of being left to navigate the criminal justice system without legal representation".

The statement also said the lawyers would advise Yee on his bail conditions; on whether pleading guilty or innocent would be the most appropriate course of action; and on sentencing options available to the court including those that deal with young offenders.

District Judge Ronald Gwee set the teen's next pre-trial conference for April 30.


Yee was charged on March 31 with attacking Christianity, transmitting an obscene image and making an online video containing remarks about founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew that offended viewers. He agreed as a condition of his bail not to post anything online until his case is decided.

But last Tuesday, he asked for donations to fund legal fees, on his blog and Facebook page. The blog post included links to the offensive videos and posts that led to him being charged in the first place. Yee was remanded last Friday after the judge at a pre-trial conference converted the $20,000 police bail that he had been on to court bail, requiring bail to be reposted. But his parents decided against posting bail.

On Saturday, a spokesman for the Attorney-General's Chambers made it clear after queries from The Straits Times that the only reason the teenager remained in remand was that no one had come forward to provide the bail. The spokesman added that potential bailors did not have to deposit the $20,000 with the court, but simply pledge that they are good for the money. They also need to show they can ensure that Amos sticks to the bail conditions and shows up in court when required.


 

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Man strikes Amos Yee as teen arrives at court; police investigating


Published on Apr 30, 2015 3:29 PM

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Amos Yee back in court on April 30, 2015, for pre-trial conference. He was charged with attacking Christianity, transmitting an obscene image and posting an online video that insulted founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew four days after his death. -- ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

By Danson Cheong & Chew Hui Min

SINGAPORE - Teenager Amos Yee, who landed in trouble for his online rant against Christianity, was accosted and slapped by a man outside the State Courts on Thursday afternoon.

The stranger slapped Yee hard on the left cheek, startling passers-by, before yelling, "Come and sue me!"

The man, who appeared to be in his 30s, was dressed in a red T-shirt and cargo pants. He then turned around and fled.

Yee, 16, appeared shocked at the confrontation. He gripped his face in pain and continued walking into the State Courts building for a pre-trial conference, as seen in an online video posted by AFP journalist Bhavan Jaipragas.

The police have confirmed that a report has been lodged and investigations are ongoing.


Ahead of his pre-trial conference, he posted on his blog and Facebook page, defying bail conditions that bar him from doing so.

On Wednesday, he put up two blog posts titled "The Ridiculous Terms of my Bail" and "My Abusive Father".

In them, he criticised the judiciary for making his bail terms overly onerous, and alleges that he was abused by his father.

He put up the posts on Wednesday and shared them on his Facebook page on Thursday morning.

This is the second time the teen has violated his bail conditions. Previously, he flouted the bail terms by seeking donations for his legal case via social media.

Yee was charged on March 31 with attacking Christianity, transmitting an obscene image and making an online video containing remarks about the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew that offended viewers.

The prosecution has, for now, stood down the charge that Yee made an online video which included offensive remarks about Mr Lee. It will instead proceed with charges of him attacking Christianity and transmitting an obscene image.

On April 22, counsellor Vincent Law came forward to post $20,000 bail for Yee after the teen had spent four nights in remand.



 

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Amos Yee back in remand after breaching bail conditions, as bailor discharges himself

Published on Apr 30, 2015 5:31 PM

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Amos Yee, 16, was slapped on the face by a stranger while on the way to court for a pre-trial conference on April 30, 2015. The teenager is being sent back to remand in Changi Prison after his bailor discharged himself. -- ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

By Danson Cheong

SINGAPORE - Teenager Amos Yee is being sent back to remand in Changi Prison after his bailor discharged himself.

The 16-year-old had posted on his blog and Facebook page breaching bail conditions that disallowed him from doing so.

On Wednesday, Yee had written two blog posts titled "The Ridiculous Terms of my Bail" and "My Abusive Father". He shared them on his Facebook later on Thursday morning.

Yee was charged on March 31 with attacking Christianity, transmitting an obscene image and making an online video which included offensive remarks about the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew.

The prosecution has, for now, stood down the charge that Yee made an online video which included offensive remarks about Mr Lee. It will proceed with charges of him attacking Christianity and transmitting an obscene image.

During his pre-trial conference, which was held in chambers, judge Kessler Soh had asked Yee to take down his latest posts. Yee refused.

Yee's bailor, family and youth counsellor Vincent Law, decided to discharge himself. He told The Straits Times that he was forced to do this because Yee refused to comply with bail conditions.

Yee will appear before the court again on Monday for another pre-trial conference in which a trial date will be picked.


 

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Assault on Amos Yee 'unacceptable': Shanmugam

Published on Apr 30, 2015 8:15 PM

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Amos Yee was struck on the face by a man when he arrived at court on April 30, 2015, for pre-trial conference. He was charged with attacking Christianity and transmitting an obscene image. -- ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

By Chew Hui Min

SINGAPORE - The assault on teen blogger Amos Yee is "unacceptable", said Law Minister K Shanmugam.

Mr Shanmugam, who is also Foreign Affairs Minister, wrote in a Facebook post on Thursday: "Amos Yee was assaulted as he was going to court today. That is quite unacceptable."

He added: "People may have strong feelings about Amos (or anyone else who is charged). But we have to leave it to the courts to deal with them. Taking the law into one's own hands cannot be condoned."

The 16-year-old was struck on the face by a man when he arrived at court for a pre-trial conference on Thursday afternoon. The man was caught on camera, but quickly fled while shouting: "Sue me, come and sue me."

Mr Shanmugam wrote: "Rule of Law means respecting the legal process. If everyone starts taking the law into his or her own hands, then we will no longer be a civilised society.

"I hope that the attacker will be caught quickly, and is dealt with appropriately."

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Yee was charged on March 31 with attacking Christianity, transmitting an obscene image and making an online video containing remarks about the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew that offended viewers.

The prosecution has, for now, stood down the charge that Yee made an online video which included offensive remarks about Mr Lee. It will proceed with charges of him attacking Christianity and transmitting an obscene image.

During his pre-trial conference on Thursday, which was held in chambers, judge Kessler Soh had asked him to take down his latest blog posts titled "The Ridiculous Terms of my Bail" and "My Abusive Father".

Yee refused.

The two blog posts, which he put up on Wednesday and shared on his Facebook page on Thursday, breached bail conditions that prevented him from doing so.

His bailor, family and youth counsellor Vincent Law, decided to discharge himself.

He told The Straits Times that he was forced to do this because Yee refused to comply with bail conditions.

Yee was sent back to remand in Changi Prison on Thursday.

[email protected]


 

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Singapore teen in anti-Lee video remanded again for blogs


AFP
April 30, 2015, 11:00 pm

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Singapore (AFP) - A Singaporean teenager facing jail time over a video criticising the late Lee Kuan Yew was remanded in custody for the second time on Thursday, with the drama heightened after he was slapped by a stranger outside the courthouse.

Amos Yee is facing three charges including for actions that hurt religious feelings after he attacked the 91-year-old political patriarch in an eight-minute, expletive-laden YouTube video, and launched a tirade against Christianity.

Yee, 16, was initially remanded at Changi Prison for five days two weeks ago but was bailed out on April 21 with a court order barring him from posting on social media while the case was pending.

But a district court ordered Yee to be remanded at the prison again this week after the teenager refused to comply with bail conditions, prompting his bailor to withdraw.

Yee breached the court order when he uploaded two blog posts on Thursday. One of them slammed the conditions for his bail while another accused his father of physical abuse.

Vincent Law, a Christian youth counsellor who had bailed the teenager out, withdrew as a bailor on Thursday after the latest developments, Yee's lawyer Alfred Dodwell said.

In his video, Yee compared Lee, Singapore's founding prime minister, to Jesus, saying "they are both power-hungry and malicious but deceive others into thinking they are compassionate and kind".

The video, titled "Lee Kuan Yew is finally dead", was uploaded after Lee's death on March 23, and Yee was subsequently arrested on March 29, the day of Lee's state funeral.

Adding drama to the case, a male stranger rushed at Yee while he was entering the courthouse Thursday and slapped him. The middle-aged man, who committed the act in front of reporters, ran off after telling a stunned Yee to "sue me".

Dodwell, the lawyer, said a police report will be filed over the incident, videos of which went viral on social media.

Yee has also been charged with circulating obscene content on his blog -- a graphic cartoon of Lee with former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher -- as well as making threatening, abusive or insulting communication.

If convicted, Yee faces up to three years in jail, a fine, or both for the charge of wounding religious feelings, and up to three months in jail, a fine or both for circulating obscene content.


 

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Amos Yee slapped: Police arrest 49-year-old man

AsiaOne Friday, May 01, 2015

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SINGAPORE - Police have arrested a 49-year-old man in relation to the assault on Amos Yee outside the state courts yesterday (April 30).

The teenage blogger was on his way to a pre-trial conference yesterday afternoon when a middle-aged man slapped him and then taunted him to "sue me, come and sue me". The man then fled the scene.

In a statement today, the police said: "In response to media queries, the Police confirm that a 49-year-old man was arrested in relation to the case. Police investigations are ongoing."

The police had earlier confirmed that a report had been lodged about the assault.


Law Minister K Shanmugam had said in a Facebook post yesterday evening that the assault was "unacceptable" and hoped that "the attacker will be caught quickly, and is dealt with appropriately".

Yee, 16, was charged on March 31 with several offences, including attacking Christianity in a YouTube video. He has been placed back in remand after the pre-trial conference yesterday, after he flouted his bail conditions by publishing two blog posts. Channel NewsAsia reported that Yee's bailor, youth counsellor Vincent Law, discharged himself.

[email protected]


 

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Popular bookstore apologises for tweet on Amos Yee slapping incident

Published on May 1, 2015 11:01 PM

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Popular bookstore deleted the tweet on the same day and posted a new one which said: "Spread Love, Not Hate. #AmosYee #saynotoviolence", with a bag of Famous Amos cookies. -- SCREEN GRAB FROM POPULAR BOOK COMPANY / TWITTER

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Popular bookstore took to its Twitter account to apologise for a tweet which poked fun at teen blogger Amos Yee. -- SCREEN GRAB FROM POPULAR BOOK COMPANY / TWITTER

By Chitra Kumar

SINGAPORE - Local retailer Popular bookstore has apologised for a tweet which poked fun at teen blogger Amos Yee, who was slapped by a man outside the State Courts on Thursday.

The tweet, posted on Thursday, read "Sorry you got slapped. Here, have some cookies on us! #FamousAmos for #AmosYee #Hi5toyourface." It was posted with a picture of Famous Amos cookies.

Popular bookstore deleted the tweet on the same day and posted a new one which said: "Spread Love, Not Hate. #AmosYee #saynotoviolence", with a bag of Famous Amos cookies.

On Friday, the bookstore tweeted: "It was a mistake that we accept and sincerely apologise for. We promise that we won't do it again. #saynotoviolence."

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Amos Yee's court hearing fixed for Thursday and Friday

PUBLISHED ON MAY 4, 2015 6:11 PM

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Amos Yee, the teenager who was charged with attacking Christianity, transmitting an obscene image and making an online video which included offensive remarks about the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew, will appear in court on Thursday morning for a two-day trial. -- ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

BY AMIR HUSSAIN

SINGAPORE - Amos Yee, the teenager who was charged with attacking Christianity, transmitting an obscene image and making an online video which included offensive remarks about the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew, will appear in court on Thursday morning for a two-day trial.

The hearing dates were fixed at a pre-trial conference held behind closed-doors on Monday afternoon.

Yee viewed the proceedings via video-link from Changi Prison, where he is being held in remand, said Mr Ervin Tan, one of three lawyers representing him.

Speaking to reporters outside the courtroom, Mr Tan said it is was a tight timeline to prepare for a two-day trial.
"We do not wish to see him spend more time in remand than is necessary," the lawyer added.

The teenager was charged in court on March 31 with the three offences. The prosecution will be proceeding with charges of him attacking Christianity and transmitting an obscene image. It has, for now, stood down the last charge, meaning it could be heard later.

Yee was first remanded on April 17 after the judge at a pre-trial conference converted the $20,000 police bail that he had been on to court bail, requiring bail to be reposted. But his parents decided against posting bail.

He was later bailed out by family and youth counsellor Vincent Law who was hoping that the teen would be willing to be counselled.

Yee was sent back to remand in Changi Prison on Thursday, after Mr Law decided to discharge himself. He had told The Straits Times that he was forced to do this because Yee had refused to comply with bail conditions.

Yee had posted on his blog and Facebook page, breaching bail conditions that disallowed him from doing so.

Last Wednesday, he wrote two blog posts titled "The Ridiculous Terms of my Bail" and "My Abusive Father". He shared them on his Facebook page the next morning.

During his pre-trial conference, which was held in chambers later that afternoon, judge Kessler Soh had asked Yee to take down his latest posts, but he refused.


 

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Amos Yee wants bail conditions reviewed as he claims they amount to a gag order


Published on May 5, 2015 7:08 PM

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Amos Yee with his mother outside the State Courts on April 21, 2015. A bail review for the teenage blogger will be heard on Wednesday morning at the High Court. -- ST PHOTO: AZIZ HUSSIN

By Danson Cheong

SINGAPORE - A bail review for teenage blogger Amos Yee will be heard on Wednesday morning at the High Court.

Yee's lawyer Alfred Dodwell told The Straits Times that his 16-year-old client will be challenging the conditions of his bail, which do not allow him to post anything online.

Mr Dodwell said that at present, the bail conditions amount to a gag order and infringes on his client's constitutional right to freedom of speech.

"The reason why he is sitting in prison today is because he has a fundamental problem with the bail conditions. He feels that they are just wrong," said Mr Dodwell.

Yee was sent back to remand at Changi Prison last Thursday, and has stayed there since, after his bailor discharged himself and the court raised the bail amount to $30,000 from $20,000.

The day before Yee had written two blog posts titled "The Ridiculous Terms of my Bail" and "My Abusive Father". He shared them on Facebook on Thursday morning.

Both actions breached the terms of his bail. During Thursday's pre-trial conference, District Judge Kessler Soh asked Yee to take down his latest posts, but he refused. The judge then raised the bail amount.

Meanwhile, Yee's two-day trial is set to begin on Thursday.

He faces charges of attacking Christianity and transmitting an obscene image.


 

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Amos Yee's mother took him to see a psychiatrist but he stopped after two visits

Published on May 6, 2015 2:15 PM

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Teenage blogger Amos Yee's mother brought him to the Institute of Mental Health to see a psychiatrist on April 3. But after two sessions, the 16-year-old refused to go anymore, it was revealed in court on Wednesday. -- ST PHOTO: WONG KWAI CHOW

By Selina Lum

SINGAPORE - Teenage blogger Amos Yee's mother brought him to the Institute of Mental Health to see a psychiatrist on April 3. But after two sessions, the 16-year-old refused to go anymore, it was revealed in court on Wednesday.

During the hearing, the prosecution offered to lower his bail amount and do away with the requirement that he reports to Bedok Police Station every morning as part of his bail conditions, if he agrees to continue to see a psychiatrist.

Yee said no, which led the High Court to deny his application to challenge his bail conditions, which include not being allowed to post online. He continues to be remanded in custody pending his two-day trial for attacking Christianity and transmitting an obscene image. His trial is scheduled to start on Thursday.

Yee's lawyers, Mr Alfred Dodwell and Mr Ervin Tan, argued on Wednesday that the court should set aside bail conditions which require Yee to undertake not to post content online while the case against him is ongoing and to either take down or make private a YouTube video and his blog posts.

Mr Dodwell said that being on social media was "the equivalent of him drinking water" and the conditions were "taking away a lot from him."

During the hearing, Justice Tay Yong Kwang asked Mr Dodwell what was so difficult about complying with these social media conditions. "They just have to learn to curb themselves," he said.

Deputy public prosecutor Hay Hung Chun told the court that the prosecution only became aware on Tuesday that Yee's mother had taken him to the IMH on Good Friday. Yee went for two appointments but refused to go for a third.

The judge asked Yee's lawyers if their client was prepared to accept the prosecution's offer to continue his appointments. Yee flatly refused.

Justice Tay said that in view of that, he saw no reason to vary any of the bail conditions.


 

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Teen blogger Amos Yee pleads not guilty to both charges at start of two-day trial

Published on May 7, 2015 11:20 AM

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The two-day trial of teenage blogger Amos Yee will begin on Thursday morning. -- ST PHOTO: WONG KWAI CHOW

Amir Hussain and Olivia Ho

SINGAPORE - Clad in a white prison T-shirt and brown shorts, and in handcuffs and leg shackles, teenage blogger Amos Yee Pang Sang pleaded not guilty to the two charges against him in court on Thursday morning at the start of his two-day trial.

The 16-year-old, who has been in the media spotlight since he was charged in court for three offences on March 31, smiled at times as he sat in the dock.

He has been in remand in Changi Prison since last Thursday, after his bailor, family and youth counsellor Vincent Law discharged himself, following a breach by Yee of his bail terms.

The Attorney-General's Chambers is prosecuting Yee on two charges - for allegedly attacking Christianity with the deliberate intention of wounding the religious feelings of Christians, and for purportedly transmitting electronically an image showing obscene figures.

The teen who is claiming trial, entered pleas of "not guilty" to the two charges.

A third charge, stood down for now, relates to the Protection from Harassment Act. It accuses him of making an online video containing offensive remarks about the late founding prime minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew. The prosecution will assess whether to bring this charge at a later date.

Seated inside the packed courtroom on Thursday were Yee's parents, Mr Law, and prominent civil society activists Roy Ngerng, Andrew Loh and Teo Soh Lung. Earlier, Mr Law, was one of the first to arrive at the State Court at 9.15am. He was followed by Mr Ngerng and Yee's mother, Mary Toh, 48. Yee's father came shortly after.

Mr Law, who was at the head of a queue to enter the courtroom, said he came to support the teenager: "I hope Amos gets a good trial. I never changed my mind about bailing him out. It was his decision and I respect it."


Yee was first remanded on April 17 after the judge at a pre-trial conference converted the $20,000 police bail that he had been on to court bail, requiring bail to be reposted, but his parents decided against posting bail.

Four days later, he was bailed out by Mr Law, who was hoping that the teen would be willing to be counselled.

Yee was sent back to remand last Thursday after Mr Law discharged himself, following a breach by Yee of his bail terms. Yee, who was out on $20,000 bail, made two posts on his blog and shared those posts on his Facebook page.

At his pre-trial conference that Thursday afternoon District Judge Kessler Soh asked Yee to take down his latest posts, but he refused.

The judge raised bail from $20,000 to $30,000, with the same conditions. At the hearing, the prosecution also proposed that his trial be expedited.

The High Court, which heard a motion challenging Yee's bail conditions on Wednesday, upheld his current bail conditions, under which he cannot post any content online.

If convicted of uploading content online that contained remarks against Christianity, with the deliberate intention of wounding the religious feelings of Christians, Yee could be jailed for up to three years and fined.

If convicted of transmitting electronically an image showing obscene figures, Yee faces imprisonment for up to three months and a fine.

The court has been adjourned till 2.30pm tomorrow, following a request by Yee's lawyers for more time to look through the evidence submitted by the prosecution.

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