Singaporean Man to Face Charges for Making False Terrorist Threat

A 26-year-old man from Singapore is set to be charged for allegedly orchestrating a false terrorist threat at St. Joseph’s Church in Bukit Timah. The Singapore Police Force (SPF) revealed on Monday that preliminary investigations pointed to the individual’s involvement in creating a suspicious item that mimicked an improvised explosive device.

According to SPF, the suspect has been identified as acting alone, and current evidence indicates that his actions were not motivated by religious extremism or terrorism.

The man will appear in court on Monday under Regulation 8(2)(a) of the United Nations (Anti-terrorism Measures) Regulations. Authorities plan to request a psychiatric evaluation for him. If convicted, he could face a prison sentence of up to 10 years, alongside a fine that could reach S$500,000 (approximately US$386,757).

The Incident Unfolded

The situation at the church, located on Upper Bukit Timah Road, began early on Sunday morning when police received a report about a suspicious item around 7:10 a.m. Upon arrival, the man claimed to have found the suspicious item in a drain within the church premises. He then reportedly immobilized himself while holding onto the item.

The police promptly arrested the man under the aforementioned regulation. In their efforts to ensure public safety, police secured the area and evacuated the church. Responding to the potential threat, they enlisted assistance from the Singapore Armed Forces’ (SAF) Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Explosive Defence Group for a thorough assessment.

Investigators later determined that the item, which initially raised concerns, consisted of three cardboard tubes and wires taped together with black tape and contained no explosives. This assessment was completed around 10:40 a.m., and the police safely removed the item from the scene.

The public cordon surrounding the area was lifted by 5:10 p.m., with no injuries reported. As a result of this incident, all scheduled services at the church for the day were canceled, but church officials announced that normal operations would resume from Monday.