20 December 2006

Alert

Key opposition leader, imprisoned for speaking in public without permit, released early for good behaviour


Incident details

Chee Soon Juan

other

released
(SEAPA/IFEX) - The Singapore government released vocal opposition leader Dr Chee Soon Juan from prison on 16 December 2006, two weeks short of the five-week term meted out to him for speaking in public without a permit.

The secretary general of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) had opted for jail rather than a fine of S$5,000 (approx. US$3,200). He has been released earlier for good behaviour.

Two others charged in the same case, party member Gandhi Ambalam and supporter Yap Keng Ho, also chose jail over the fines. Ambalam was released on 7 December while Yap was freed on 2 December.

They were charged after speaking in a community hall on 22 April, in the run-up to the general election that was eventually won by the ruling People's Action Party.

There are reportedly seven other such charges pending against Chee and Yap.

Chee is also being sued by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his father Lee Kuan Yew for allegedly defaming them in an article in SDP's newsletter, and not in an interview with the "Far Eastern Economic Review" as reported earlier.



Source:

Southeast Asian Press Alliance
Unit 3B, Thakolsuk Place
No. 115 Terddumri Road
Dusit, Bangkok 10300
Thailand
seapa (@) seapa.org
Phone: +66 2 243 5579
Fax: +66 2 244 8749
 

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More on this case

Jailed opposition leader's health deteriorating, Human Rights Watch calls for his release and appropriate medical care 8 December 2006 Three opposition politicians imprisoned for speaking publicly without permit 28 November 2006

Singapore

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