A man of Indian origin residing in Singapore was formally charged in court on Monday for allegedly making a false terrorist threat. The incident, which involved a suspicious item placed at St Joseph's Church, led to the cancellation of all Sunday services at the place of worship.
Details of the Alleged Incident
Kokulananthan Mohan, aged 26, is accused under Singapore's stringent United Nations (Anti-terrorism Measures) Regulations. According to charge sheets and police reports, the event unfolded in the Upper Bukit Timah area, a neighbourhood known for its upmarket residences. The authorities stated that around 7:11 am, the man allegedly placed three cardboard rolls within the church premises.
These rolls contained stone pebbles and had red wires protruding from them. They were bound together using distinctive black and yellow adhesive tape. The prosecution's case is that the arrangement was deliberately designed to make people believe the item could explode or catch fire, posing a risk of injury or damage to property.
Police Investigation and Psychiatric Evaluation
In an official statement released on Monday, the Singapore Police Force clarified the nature of the act. "Preliminary investigations suggest that the man had allegedly staged the incident by placing a self-fabricated item which resembled an improvised explosive device within the church premises," the statement read.
Authorities were quick to add that Kokulananthan is believed to have acted alone. There is no current evidence indicating the act was motivated by religious extremism or was a genuine terror plot. Following his court appearance, the judge ordered the accused to be remanded for a period of three weeks. This remand is specifically for a psychiatric evaluation to assess his mental state at the time of the alleged offence.
He is scheduled to appear before the court again on January 12. During the hearing, Kokulananthan mentioned a previous hospital admission linked to alcohol and attributed the behaviour noted by police to sleep deprivation from working night shifts. The judge noted these points would be considered during the psychiatric assessment.
Severe Legal Consequences Await
The charges brought against Kokulananthan Mohan carry extremely heavy penalties, reflecting Singapore's zero-tolerance approach to security threats. If he is convicted under Regulation 8(2)(a) of the UN (Anti-terrorism Measures) Regulations, he could face a combination of the following punishments:
- A prison sentence of up to 10 years.
- A financial penalty of up to 500,000 Singapore dollars (approximately 386,757 US dollars).
- Or both the imprisonment and the hefty fine.
This case highlights the serious legal ramifications of actions that threaten public safety and security, even if the threat is later found to be a hoax. The swift police response and subsequent legal proceedings underscore the city-state's commitment to maintaining strict law and order.
