Supporters Pack State Courts as Six Women Face Charges Linked to Pro-Palestinian Activities

The State Courts drew a large turnout on Wednesday (Sep 9) as supporters gathered for six women charged over activities linked mainly to the Palestinian cause.

The courtroom was packed, with others waiting outside as the cases were heard.

The packed crowd included SDP chief Dr Chee Soon Juan and socio-political blogger Leong Sze Hian.

The six are Kyal Sin Linn Naing, 22; Elijah Tay, 24; Nur Sabrina Kamel, 32; Nurul Afiqah Kamel, 33; Amirah Mokhlis, 33; and Dayana Noor Mohamed, 36.

They face 17 charges in total, mostly under the Public Order Act.

Tay faces nine charges, including allegedly leading the chant "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" during a livestreamed event and organising a memorial at NUS opposing educational ties with Israel.

The other charges relate to an unpermitted procession to MHA, three anti-death penalty vigils, an assembly outside the State Courts and two alleged refusals to answer police questions.

Dayana and Nurul Afiqah are accused of joining a 2024 procession along the Istana, where about 70 participants carried watermelon-patterned umbrellas and delivered letters supporting Palestine.

They, Nur Sabrina and Amirah are also accused of organising a mass kite-flying event at Marina Barrage to honour children killed in Gaza.

Nur Sabrina additionally faces a charge for allegedly making a vulgar gesture at a public servant, while Kyal is charged over the procession to MHA.

The cases were adjourned, with no pleas recorded. They are scheduled to return to court on October 7.

Three organisers of the earlier Istana procession were fined S$3,000 each in April after the High Court overturned their acquittals.