Australian teen denied entry to Singapore over terrorism-related past

SINGAPORE: An Australian teenager, previously targeted in an Australian Federal Police undercover counter-terrorism operation, was denied entry into Singapore in October, according to a report by The Guardian on 4 November.

The 17-year-old, who had traveled from Melbourne to Singapore with four family members, was stopped upon arrival at Changi Airport and subjected to an interview and additional checks before being refused entry.

On Tuesday (12 November), Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) confirmed to state media outlet CNA that the teenager had arrived in Singapore on 24 October.

MHA stated he had previously been investigated by Australian authorities in 2021 over concerns related to radicalisation and terrorism.

The ministry reported that the teenager allegedly had an intense fixation on the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and had expressed a desire to conduct a school shooting.

Additionally, he is said to have researched bomb-making materials and communicated online with individuals holding similar interests.

Due to these terrorism-related antecedents, the youth was denied entry and scheduled for repatriation to Melbourne, accompanied by one family member.

While the other family members were given the option to enter Singapore, they chose to return with him on the next available flight on 25 October.

While awaiting departure, the family was held in a designated holding area at Changi Airport.

MHA explained that, in line with safety protocols, the family’s personal items—including luggage and shoelaces—were temporarily surrendered to prevent any potential harm.

The family members were assigned to separate, gender-specific rooms monitored by CCTV to ensure security, with access to essential amenities, including food, water, and restroom facilities.

They were allowed to gather for meals in designated communal spaces.

MHA emphasised that entry into Singapore is not automatic and is determined on a case-by-case basis.

The ministry reiterated Singapore’s stringent stance on national security, underscoring that anyone found supporting or engaging in terrorism is treated seriously.

The Singapore government collaborates closely with international counterparts to ensure the country’s safety.

On average, around 2,500 visitors are denied entry to Singapore each month for a variety of reasons, according to MHA.

Australian teen earlier cleared of criminal offences, family told no travel restrictions remained

The Guardian previously reported that the teenager, who has autism, and his younger siblings were held overnight in an airport room with over a dozen other detainees after being denied entry to Singapore.

The teenager’s father criticised the conditions, calling the treatment neither “fair” nor “humane.”

He further reported that another detainee in the room invited the boy to “come under the blanket with me,” raising concerns about the facility’s environment and supervision.

The boy, referred to by the pseudonym Thomas Carrick, was initially investigated by Australian authorities at age 13 but was later cleared of any criminal offenses.

He received his passport back in November last year, and the family was reportedly informed that no travel restrictions remained in place.

However, a “red alert” was apparently placed on his passport, continuing to impact his eligibility for international travel due to his past investigation.

The family encouraged Thomas to plan the overseas trip to Singapore and Malaysia to help him overcome the trauma related to his case.

However, the trip ended in distress when he was prevented from entering Singapore, forcing them to abandon their planned 10-day itinerary.

The family expressed outrage over their treatment, particularly highlighting the conditions in the holding rooms at the airport.

The father told The Guardian that when he briefly stepped outside the room for a cigarette, another detainee asked Thomas if he wanted to share his bed, adding to their distress.

Victorian court criticised law enforcement’s role in encouraging teenager’s radicalisation

Controversy followed a February 2024 ABC News report exposing a covert Australian Federal Police operation that may have worsened the teen’s radicalisation.

An undercover officer reportedly engaged with him online, encouraging him with remarks suggesting he could become a sniper or suicide bomber.

The Victorian children’s court granted a permanent stay in Thomas’s case in October 2023, concluding that law enforcement had acted inappropriately during its investigation.

The court found that undercover officers, posing as Islamic State sympathisers, had actively encouraged Thomas’s fascination with the terror group, deepening his fixation.

The court further noted that law enforcement’s actions conflicted with community expectations, as they involved steering a young child, then 13-14 years old, towards racial hatred, distrust of police, and violent extremism.