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Amos Yee returns to Singapore after US deportation
A Singaporean man known for his inflammatory remarks against the country's founding leader, Lee Kuan Yew, has been sent back from the United States to face legal proceedings. Amos Yee, 27, is scheduled to appear in a Singapore court on Friday, where he is expected to be charged with evading mandatory military service, according to court filings.
Background of controversy
Yee first gained attention in 2015 when he posted a video criticizing Lee Kuan Yew shortly after the former prime minister's death. The video, filled with profanity, compared Lee to Jesus Christ and targeted Christians broadly-acts considered deeply offensive in Singapore, where racial and religious harmony is strictly enforced.
He also shared a vulgar cartoon depicting Lee engaged in a sexual act with former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, a close ally. Following public outrage, with at least 30 police reports filed against him, Yee was arrested and jailed.
Despite the backlash, Yee attracted supporters who viewed him as a symbol of free speech in a country often criticized for suppressing dissent. Some even offered to pay his bail.
Asylum in the US and subsequent legal troubles
In 2017, Yee was granted asylum in the US after arguing he faced persecution in Singapore. The US immigration appeals board ruled that he had a credible fear of future harm if returned. However, his stay in the US was marred by further legal issues.
In 2020, he was arrested for possessing child pornography and grooming a 14-year-old girl he met online. Court records from Illinois revealed that Yee used WhatsApp to manipulate the minor and shared explicit images of her.
After completing his sentence, Yee was taken into custody by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in November. He signed deportation papers last month, as reported by Singaporean media. ICE later included him on a public list of "the worst of the worst criminal aliens" arrested in December.
Charges awaiting in Singapore
Under Singapore's Enlistment Act, all male citizens and second-generation permanent residents must complete two years of military service, typically beginning at age 18. Yee, who would have been eligible in 2016-the same year he was granted asylum-never fulfilled this obligation.
While the conscription charge is confirmed, it remains unclear whether additional charges will be filed against him in Singapore.
Public reaction and next steps
Yee's return has reignited debate in Singapore about free speech, national service, and the limits of dissent. His court appearance on Friday is expected to draw significant attention, with observers awaiting further details on his legal situation.
