Singapore Democrats
Mr Gopalan Nair is likely to face four charges when he appears at the subordinate courts on Thursday morning (12th June). Mr Nair who is now on bail was slapped with two additional charges yesterday when he was called up for further interrogation at the Central Police Station.
The expected charges are, one under the Sedition Act, one under the Miscellaneous Act and the other two under the Penal Code.
Yesterday, Mr Nair also visited the US Embassy where a diplomat is reported to have said to him that “they are taking special interest and monitoring very closely your case”. This is because the charges hinge on freedom of expression and the Internet. An embassy official is expected to be present at the court on Thursday.
Mr Nair came to Singapore especially to attend the three-day hearing of assessment of damages in a defamation case by the Prime Minister, Mr Lee Hsien Loong and the Minister Mentor, Mr Lee Kuan Yew against the SDP, its Secretary General Dr Chee Soon Juan and its CEC member Ms Chee Siok Chin.
Mr Nair was arrested by the Police on 31st May at his hotel along Serangoon Road on a non-bailable warrant. After 5 days in the police lock-up, he was subsequently released on bail on Thursday, 5th June.