SINGAPORE – A 26-year-old Singaporean man is set to be charged on Dec 22 with making a false threat of terrorist act following
an incident at St Joseph’s Church involving a suspicious item
found at its premises.
The police had arrested the man, who is a church volunteer, under anti-terrorism laws on Dec 21 for his suspected involvement in the incident.
In a statement on Dec 22, the police said preliminary investigations suggest that the man had allegedly staged the incident by placing a self-fabricated item which resembled an improvised explosive device within the church premises.
He is believed to have acted alone, the police said, adding that there is currently no evidence to suggest that it was a religiously motivated attack or an act of terror.
He is expected to be charged in court on Dec 22 under Regulation 8(2)(a) of the United Nations (Anti-terrorism Measures) Regulations.
The police said an application will be made for the man to be remanded for psychiatric evaluation.
