SINGAPORE – Two self-radicalised Singaporeans were released from detention under the nation’s Internal Security Act (ISA) in July 2023, according to the Singapore Home Affairs Ministry.
“They had shown good progress in their rehabilitation and were assessed to no longer pose a security threat requiring preventive detention,” said the ministry on its website today.
The ministry said the first was a 51-year-old man detained under the ISA in July 2019 as he was a staunch supporter of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (Isis) and had planned to travel to Syria to join the group.
The second was a 60-year-old man who had travelled to Turkey in June 2015 with the intention of crossing into Syria to join and fight for Isis.
He was arrested by Turkish authorities and deported to Singapore, and subsequently detained under the ISA in July 2015, it said.
Both were released on a restriction order (RO) in July 2023.
According to MHA, a person issued with an RO must abide by several conditions and restrictions.
For example, the individual is not permitted to change his or her residence or employment or travel out of Singapore, without the approval of the Internal Security Department (ISD) director.
The individual also cannot access the Internet or social media, issue public statements, address public meetings or print, distribute, contribute to any publication, hold office in, or be a member of any organisation, association or group, without the approval of the ISD director, said the ministry. – November 30, 2023