Another Singapore Blogger Arrested
By Curt on Jun 1, 2008 in Gopalan Pallichadath Nair, Singapore, Imprisoned bloggers
Gopalan arrested in Singapore
Singabloodypore sent us a note informing us that another blogger, a former Singaporean and current US citizen, has been arrested. Unlike the last arrest, of (ick) Fragrant Prince, this one is not for some species of racism, but stems, I think, from the same tendency, to shut up ideas not given official imprimatur.
Channelnewsasia gives the man’s name as Gopalan Pallichadath Nair.
Police have arrested a former Singaporean for the offence of “threatening, abusing or insulting a public servant”.
In response to media queries, police confirmed that Gopalan Pallichadath Nair, who is now a US citizen, was arrested at Broadway Hotel along Serangoon Road on Saturday.
A warrant of arrest without bail was granted by the courts for the arrest.
Nair is alleged to have sent an email to the Attorney-General and the Solicitor-General which contained statements amounting to the offence of insulting a public servant.
The statements were directed against Justice Belinda Ang, a Supreme Court judge. The statements were also posted on Nair’s blog.
Nair is presently in police custody. He will be charged in court on Monday.
I’m not specialist but it seems like you can barely speak in Singapore without risking offense to someone, and if you offend anyone, you’re going to jail. Touchy bunch.
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Steven @ Singabloodypore goes into the case in admirable detail.
Simon Columbus | Jun 1, 2008 | Reply
Well, as far as I see the one specialty in Singapore is that offenses of racist remarks really get investigated. You could be punished for these crimes in many other countries, including Germany (one blogger I know is currently in danger of a 170-days jail sentence after defaming a right-wing publicist as a Nazi).
Lenox | Jun 1, 2008 | Reply
He was asking to be arrested !
Go read his blog where he challenged the authorities to arrest him.
In my view, he ought to be arrested.
Reading his blog, I am also of the opinion that he too has similar symtoms with CSJ.
Curt | Jun 1, 2008 | Reply
Once you start arresting people for being racist, you know what happens? Racism goes away. And there are absolutely NO repercussions for ANYONE who is NOT racist. So you know what I need to do? Stop being such a big silly!
Peter Johnson | Jun 12, 2008 | Reply
Speak, don’t insult.
Don’t make up stories with intent to hurt another’s reputation, and I think you will be quite alright anywhere in the world.
Curt | Jun 13, 2008 | Reply
Yeah, Pete. *sigh* You truly have zero idea what you’re talking about.