Singapore Airport Detains Journalist Over Palestine Writings
SINGAPORE — May 8, 2024 — A journalist was twice detained and interrogated at Changi Airport in 2023 for writings related to Palestine. The detentions, occurring in February and September, involved questioning about the journalist’s work and background. Security officials showed interest in the journalist’s views.This incident reflects a concerning pattern. According to available reports, the journalist believes their passport is now marked.Further details will be made available as the story develops.
Singapore Airport Detains Journalist Over Palestine Writings
SingaporeS Changi Airport has twice detained and interrogated a journalist due to thier writings on Palestine and Middle Eastern affairs. The incidents, occurring in February and September of 2023, involved questioning and scrutiny of the journalist’s work and personal views.
Details of the Detentions
The journalist, while transiting through Changi Airport, was stopped by security officials. The first incident occurred in February 2023, during a stopover on a flight from South Korea to indonesia. The second occurred seven months later, in September 2023, while traveling from Busan to Yogyakarta.
Did you know? Changi Airport has been consistently ranked among the world’s best airports, known for its efficiency and strict security measures.
- First Detention (February 2023): The journalist was taken to a remote room next to immigration. Security officers questioned them about their background, travel history in the Middle East, and their academic and journalistic work. Their cellphone was confiscated and its contents checked.
- Second Detention (September 2023): Upon passport scanning, the journalist was again pulled aside.The examination was shorter, but the focus remained the same. Even when returning the next morning for a connecting flight, they were directed to a “special” immigration counter.
The Interrogation
During the initial interrogation, security officers inquired about the journalist’s reasons for writing about the Middle East, especially Palestine. Why do you write about the middle East, especially Palestine?
they asked, revealing a deeper interest in the journalist’s outlook.
Pro Tip: Journalists covering sensitive topics shoudl be aware of potential scrutiny when traveling internationally, especially through countries with strict security protocols.
The journalist noted that while they were never explicitly accused of wrongdoing,the focus on their publications and time spent in the Middle East indicated that their intellectual work had attracted attention.
A Warning and a Response
Before releasing the journalist after the first interrogation, an officer issued a warning: Don’t write about our meeting.
The journalist, though, chose to share their experience, stating that such intimidation cannot be left alone.
Marked Passport
The journalist believes their name and passport are now marked, leading to repeated scrutiny upon entering Singapore. This is not an isolated or unintentional meeting. My name and passport are clearly marked red,
they stated.
