Suspicious Device at Singapore Church Leads to Terror Threat Charge
A 26-year-old Singaporean man has been charged with making a false terrorist threat after a suspicious item, resembling an improvised explosive device, was discovered at St Joseph’s Church in Bukit Timah. Kokulananthan Mohan faces charges under Regulation 8(2)(a) of the United Nations (Anti-terrorism Measures) Regulations.
The incident unfolded on Sunday morning when police were alerted to a suspicious item within the church premises. According to charge sheets, Mohan is accused of placing three cardboard rolls, described as “filled with stone pebbles and sporting protruding red wires, held together using black and yellow adhesive tapes,” inside the church at approximately 7:10 AM.
Authorities believe this act was intended to deceive a church volunteer, identified as Richard Lee Leong Hee, 66, into falsely believing the item posed an imminent threat of explosion or ignition, potentially causing injury or property damage.
Preliminary investigations by the Singapore Police Force indicate that Mohan allegedly staged the incident himself. “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,” a police statement confirmed on Monday. Crucially, the police have stated, “He is believed to have acted alone and there is currently no evidence to suggest that it was a religiously motivated attack or an act of terror.”
Mohan has been remanded for three weeks to undergo psychiatric evaluation. He is scheduled to return to court on January 12.
During his initial court appearance, Mohan expressed confusion regarding the request for a medical evaluation, suggesting a “miscommunication” and noting that a previous hospital admission was related to alcohol consumption, an issue he believed was resolved. However, the judge clarified that the psychiatric evaluation was deemed necessary due to observations of Mohan’s conduct and behaviour during his arrest and subsequent police operations. Mohan explained his behaviour as a result of “lack of sleep” due to working night shifts, a detail the judge advised him to discuss with the evaluating psychiatrist.
Potential Penalties and Investigation Process
If convicted of making a false terrorist threat, Kokulananthan Mohan could face severe penalties, including a jail term of up to 10 years, a fine of up to S$500,000 (approximately US$387,000), or a combination of both.
The discovery prompted an immediate response from law enforcement. The church, located along Upper Bukit Timah Road, was evacuated as a precautionary measure on Sunday morning. Upon arrival, the suspect, who is a church volunteer, reportedly informed officers that he had found the suspicious item in a drain within the church grounds.
“Thereafter, he immobilised himself and held on to the suspicious item,” the police detailed in a social media update that evening.
Following this, Mohan was arrested under the aforementioned United Nations (Anti-terrorism Measures) Regulations. The police cordoned off the area and evacuated the premises to ensure public safety. The Singapore Armed Forces’ Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Explosive Defence Group was also deployed to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the item.
After thorough examination, which concluded around 10:40 AM, the item was determined to be three cardboard rolls and wires taped together, with no explosive components present. It was subsequently removed from the scene by the police. The police cordon was eventually lifted at 5:10 PM, and fortunately, no injuries were reported during the incident.
Impact on Church Operations
The disruption caused by the incident led to the cancellation of all planned mass services for Sunday. However, the church announced that services would resume as usual from Monday onwards, signaling a return to normalcy for its congregation.
