Amos Yee facing 4 new charges over indecent content, racially charged posts

On Wednesday, Aug 26, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) announced that blogger Amos Yee has been handed four new charges related to his online content. This brings his total number of charges to seven since his deportation back to Singapore in March. The SPF described Yee's posts as "alarming and racially divisive," leading to an investigation and the identification of specific posts and videos as the basis for the charges.

Yee's new charges include two under the Penal Code for allegedly promoting feelings of disharmony between different racial groups through his posts and for making indecent communications that could cause alarm. If convicted, Yee could face up to three years in jail, a fine, or both. The indecent communications charge is punishable under the Protection from Harassment Act (POHA) with a maximum fine of S$5,000.

Additionally, the SPF ordered the removal of a video posted by Yee on X platform on Aug 18. The blogger will also have to comply with Stop Communication Directions, which require him to cease posting content that incites ill feelings between racial groups or contains his views on illicit relations with minors. The SPF emphasized that they take a strong stance against actions that threaten racial and religious harmony in Singapore, as well as indecent communications, including those that advocate or promote sexual relationships involving children.

Yee faces three other charges for allegedly evading National Service (NS) obligations. While it was previously reported that he would plead guilty to these charges on Sept 7, a pre-trial conference for the NS-related charges has been scheduled for Sept 18. The journalist was present in court with his mother, Mary Toh, on Aug 26, and the prosecution offered bail of S$15,000 under conditions that include not posting content that incites ill feelings between racial groups or containing his views on illicit relations with minors.