Court Cases
Istana Security Unit officer: Feb 2024 pro-Palestinian procession posed no threat, was cooperative
On 3 July 2025, an Istana Security Unit officer testified a 2 Feb 2024 pro-Palestinian procession posed no security threat and was peaceful. He said he did not disperse the group as they were cooperative. The trial of three women accused of organising it continues in State Courts.
SINGAPORE: On 3 July 2025, a commanding officer (CO) from the Istana Security Unit testified that a pro-Palestinian procession held on 2 February 2024 posed no security threat and did not warrant police intervention.
The CO appeared as a prosecution witness on day three of a trial involving three Singaporean women—Siti Amirah Mohamed Asrori, 30; Mossammad Sobikun Nahar, 26; and Annamalai Kokila Parvathi, 36.
They are each charged under the Public Order Act for allegedly organising a procession along the Istana perimeter, which is a gazetted prohibited area.
The women are accused of organising the event between 2pm and 3pm on 2 February 2024.
According to court proceedings, about 70 participants gathered outside Plaza Singapura before walking to the Istana to deliver letters addressed to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in support of the Palestinian cause.
The trial commenced on 1 July and is presided over by District Judge John Ng.
Proceedings are being closely followed and documented by advocacy group Students for Palestine via their social media updates.
Commanding officer recounts cooperative behaviour
During cross-examination, the CO confirmed he had known about the planned event since January 2024.
He had deployed a police officer from the ISU to observe participants at Plaza Singapura.
Despite the location being a protected zone, he testified that the participants were cooperative and peaceful.
He said there were no chants, no placards, and no disruptions.
He said he did not stop or disperse the procession because “they posed no security threat.”
In fact, the CO assisted the group in crossing the road to access the Istana mailroom, where the letters were to be delivered.
He added that it is permissible to hand-deliver letters to the Istana.
CO confirmed he had power to exercise arrest but procession was ‘orderly’
The defence, led by lawyer Uthayasurian Sidambaram, asked the CO whether he had the authority to disperse the crowd or conduct arrests.
The CO confirmed he did: “If they posed… a serious incident, I would have definitely had the power to exercise.” However, he reiterated that the event was orderly and thus no such powers were exercised.
He also recalled a similar event on 11 January 2024, involving the hand-delivery of letters to the Istana. No legal action had been taken against those participants either.
The defence highlighted that there were no signs or indicators warning the group that the route was part of a prohibited area.
Additionally, it was established in court that there is no alternative pedestrian path from Plaza Singapura to the Istana.
Deputy commanding officer supports testimony
The Deputy Commanding Officer (DCO) of the ISU also testified on 3 July.
He confirmed he had been instructed by the CO to observe the procession.
He noted that he was aware of the group’s intent to deliver letters and observed no disorder during their walk.
A point of contention arose during cross-examination over an unidentified man seen trailing the group in CCTV footage.
ISU confirmed that the man wore a blue T-shirt and was not part of the procession nor a member of law enforcement. Several questions posed by the defence involved trying to ascertain the man’s identity.
If convicted of organising a prohibited procession, the three women face up to six months’ imprisonment, a fine of up to S$10,000, or both.
Students for Palestine has urged members of the public to show solidarity by attending court proceedings or contributing to the women’s legal fund.
According to the group, the total estimated legal costs for the defendants amount to S$30,000.
Donations are being collected via a fundraiser hosted at tinyurl.com/watermelonfundraiser.
Following the day’s proceedings, Students for Palestine raised broader concerns in a social media post.
They questioned whether prosecutions under the Public Order Act are justified when events are peaceful and cooperative.
“If there was no disorder, who does the POA protect? Whose interest does it serve?” they asked.
The trial is expected to continue for four more days.
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