15 local Guy Fawkes protestors being questioned by police

SINGAPORE - Police today said 15 Guy Fawkes protestors are helping investigations into possible offences of organising and/or taking part in a public assembly without a permit.

All of them are Singaporeans aged between 16 and 27 years old.

In a media statement, the police said a group of 12 men had gathered at the vicinity of City Hall MRT station on November 5, 2013 at about 7pm.

The group members were dressed in red or black, and three of them also donned Guy Fawkes masks. Police officers also found a total of 14 masks in their possession.

On the same day at about 10.15 pm, two other men and a woman were seen with similar masks along Orchard Road.

The police said the 15 suspects had responded to online postings calling for 24-hour protests globally in support of a movement called the "Million Mask March" to commemorate Guy Fawkes Day on November 5.

They had ignored police warning to the public that organising or participating in such a public assembly without a police permit was illegal and might constitute an offence under the Public Order Act.

- chenj@sph.com.sg

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"In response to media queries, Police confirms that a group of 12 men had gathered at the vicinity of City Hall MRT station on 5 November 2013 at about 7pm. The group was attired in red or black, and three of them had also donned Guy Fawkes masks. Police officers checked on the group and a total of 14 masks were found in their possession. On the same day at about 10.15 pm, two other men and a woman were seen with masks along Orchard Road.

These 15 subjects had responded to online postings calling for 24-hour protests globally in support of a movement called the "Million Mask March" to commemorate Guy Fawkes Day on 5 November 2013, despite a Police advisory reminding the public that organising or participating in a public assembly without a Police permit is illegal and may constitute an offence under the Public Order Act.

All 15 protestors are Singaporeans aged between 16 and 27 years old. They are currently assisting with Police investigations into possible offences of organising and/or taking part in a public assembly without permit under Section 16(1) and Section 16 (2) respectively of the Public Order Act, Chapter 257A. "