Singapore False Terrorist Threat Case Leads to Church Shutdown and Arrest

A Singapore man was charged on December 22 for a false terrorist threat at a church. Police said the man placed a suspicious object inside St. Joseph’s Church on December 21. The church is in the Upper Bukit Timah area. All services were cancelled as a safety step. The main keyword is Singapore false terrorist threat.

Officials said the act caused fear and forced police to lock down the site. The case drew wide attention because the object looked like an explosive. According to Channel News Asia, the man was arrested soon after police arrived. Early checks showed there was no real danger.

Singapore False Terrorist Threat Case Sparks Major Police Response

Police said the 26-year-old man, Kokulananthan Mohan, placed three cardboard tubes in the church. The tubes had stone pebbles inside. Red wires stuck out of them. Black and yellow tape held them together. The setup made the object look like an explosive.

According to Reuters, officers cleared the church and checked the item. Police later said the item was self-made and had no exploding parts. They said the man acted alone. They also said there was no sign of a terror link.

The man was charged under the United Nations (Anti-terrorism Measures) Regulations. This law covers acts that cause fear of an attack. If found guilty, he may face up to 10 years in jail. He may also face a fine of up to SGD 500,000.

A judge ordered him to undergo a three‑week psychiatric check. Police said his behaviour during the arrest raised concern. The suspect said he lacked sleep due to night shifts. The judge told him to share this with doctors during the assessment.

Impact of the Church Scare and Public Concerns

The false threat stopped all church services for the day. Many residents in the area learned about the case through emergency alerts. Some worshippers said they were shocked that such an event happened near their homes.

Police reminded the public that false threats strain resources. They also said such acts can cause fear and harm community trust. Singapore has strict rules to stop hoaxes that mimic terror acts.

Analysts say such cases place extra pressure on security teams. They also say false alarms can cause panic in busy public spaces. This case shows how even a simple object can spark a major response.

The Singapore false terrorist threat case has raised key safety questions. It also renewed calls for calm and fast reporting. The case will return to court on January 12.

Thought you’d like to know-

Q1: What is the Singapore false terrorist threat case?

It is a case involving a man who placed a fake explosive-like item in a church. Police said it caused fear and forced a shutdown. He now faces serious charges.

Q2: Where did the incident happen?

It took place at St. Joseph’s Church in Upper Bukit Timah. This is a residential area in Singapore. Services were cancelled due to safety checks.

Q3: Was the item real?

Police said the item was fake. It was made of cardboard rolls, pebbles, wires, and tape. Officers confirmed there were no explosive parts.

Q4: Could the suspect face jail time?

Yes. The charge carries a penalty of up to 10 years in jail. He may also face a fine of up to SGD 500,000.

Q5: Was it a terror attack?

No. Police said there was no sign of terror intent. They said the man acted alone and the act was not religiously motivated.

Trusted Sources: Reuters, AP News, BBC News, Channel News Asia