Amos Yee out on bail, now represented by 3 lawyers

Amos Yee has been bailed out by family and youth counsellor Mr Vincent Law on Tuesday evening, reported The Straits Times.

Mr Law, 51, said: "I'm a Christian and it seems that the charge said that he made disparaging remarks against Christianity. I'm a Christian and I'm stepping up to say that I'm not offended."

The counsellor added that he hopes to counsel the teenager.

The 16-year-old had been in remand since last Friday as his parents did not post bail for him.

According to Channel NewsAsia, the handcuffed teenager appeared in court on Tuesday for his bail review at about 4pm and appeared calm. His parents were also present at the hearing.

Lawyer Alfred Dodwell had told the court that a bailor was on the way.

Mr Dodwell is one of the three lawyers including Mr Chong Jia Hao and Mr Ervin Tan who have stepped up to represent the teenager pro bono.

The Straits Times reported that the lawyers have chosen to represent Yee because of his young age and their belief that "everybody needs legal representation".

In a statement that was handed out to reporters, the lawyers said that they would advise Yee on his bail conditions, on whether pleading guilty or innocent would be the most appropriate course of action and on the sentencing options that may be dealt to young offenders.

District Judge Ronald Gwee has set the teen's next pre-trial conference for April 30.

On March 31, Yee was charged with attacking Christianity, transmitting an obscene image and making an online video containing offensive remarks about former prime minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew.

As a condition of his bail, he cannot post anything online until his case is decided.

However, he posted a plea for donations to fund legal fees on his blog and Facebook page on April 14, and reproduced the original offending material online.

Last Saturday, an Attorney-General's Chambers spokesman clarified that the teenager remained in remand because no one had come forward to provide the $20,000 bail.

minlee@sph.com.sg