SINGAPORE - The lawyer for activist Han Hui Hui, who has been charged in court over a Sept 27 protest that disrupted a charity carnival, has mistakenly sent an appeal to the wrong minister.
Mr M. Ravi said on Tuesday he has since re-sent the appeal letter, over a National Parks Board (NParks) decision that disallows Han from organising events at Hong Lim Park, to National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan.
The appeal was earlier sent to the Environment and Water Resources Minister Vivian Balakrishnan.
In the appeal letter, Mr Ravi had argued that she had the right to hold events at Speakers' Corner in Hong Lim Park, despite facing charges over the Sept 27 incident.
Not allowing her to do so would be a violation of her rights to free speech, he had argued.
NParks, which comes under the National Development Ministry said last week it would not approve any application to use the Speakers' Corner by those who were being investigated for the Sept 27 protest.
Last Friday, it reiterated that its decision will stand if individuals have been charged or will face charges,
Han, 23, was charged on Monday along with blogger Roy Ngerng, 33, with causing public nuisance as well as with organising a demonstration at the park without approval. Four others who actively participated in the Sept 27 event were also charged with causing a public nuisance.
All six are accused of disrupting the YMCA Proms @ The Park event, which was held at an adjacent lawn in Hong Lim Park.
Han and Ngerng led several people in a march around the venue, encroaching into the area where the charity event was held and scaring children who were performing on stage.
At the hearing of the case on Monday, Mr Ravi, who is repesenting all six, asked for more information to be shared by the prosecution. The case has been adjourned until Nov 24
Meanwhile, Han, Ngerng and their supporters have appealed online for donations from the public to help pay the legal bills of all six.
A person found guilty of being a public nuisance can be fined up to $1,000. Organising a demonstration without approval carries a maximum fine of $5,000.
