Singapore denies entry to exiled HK pro-democracy activist

[ad_1] A professional-democracy campaigner who fled Hong Kong has been denied entry to Singapore regardless of being granted a visa, with the city-state saying his presence "wouldn't be in nationwide pursuits".

Nathan Legislation, who lives in exile within the UK, stated he arrived in Singapore on Saturday to attend a "closed-door, invitation-only" convention however was detained on the border for 4 hours.

"I used to be not requested questions and they didn't give good reason for the denial," he informed the BBC.

Mr Legislation is needed by Hong Kong authorities who've accused him of endangering nationwide safety, Singapore's Ministry of House Affairs famous.

Singapore has an extradition treaty with Hong Kong.

"Mr Legislation's entry into and presence within the nation wouldn't be in Singapore's nationwide pursuits," stated the ministry's spokesman in response to queries from the BBC.

"A visa holder continues to be topic to additional checks at level of entry into the nation. That's what occurred with Nathan Legislation," he stated, including that Mr Legislation was referred for "questioning, and immigration and safety evaluation" after he landed.

Singapore is understood to be cautious about overseas politics. In a press release issued final 12 months, the federal government stated it "takes a transparent and robust stand towards the importation of politics of different nations into Singapore".

In a press release, Mr Legislation stated he believes the denial of entry was for "political" causes. "I'm not sure whether or not exterior forces, such because the PRC (Individuals's Republic of China), are concerned, straight or not directly," he stated.

Mr Legislation stated he utilized for a visa that might have allowed him a "one-time entry for a number of days", and that it was accepted three weeks earlier than his departure. He stated he holds a UK Refugee Journey Doc.

On Sunday, the activist was placed on the earliest flight again to San Francisco, the place he initially departed from.

The organisers of the occasion he was because of attend have declined to remark to the BBC.

Mr Legislation, a former Hong Kong legislator, is likely one of the most distinguished figures within the metropolis's pro-democracy motion, fled the town in 2020 after China imposed a sweeping nationwide safety legislation which targets secession, subversion and terrorism with punishments of as much as life in jail.

In 2021, he was granted asylum within the UK.

Hong Kong authorities have supplied rewards of HK$1m ($128,000; £95,000) for info that may assist them arrest Mr Legislation and different pro-democracy activists.

This isn't the primary incident Singapore authorities have taken motion concerning Hong Kong pro-democracy activists.

In 2019, the city-state fined a Singaporean activist for holding a web-based discussion board a number of years prior that featured distinguished activist Joshua Wong talking in a teleconference name.