SINGAPORE, June 23 — Teenage blogger Amos Yee will be remanded for two weeks at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) to assess his suitability for a mandatory treatment order (MTO).
The MTO will require an offender suffering from psychiatric conditions to undergo treatment at IMH in lieu of imprisonment.
While Amos was assessed to be physically and mentally suitable for reformative training, District Judge Jasvendar Kaur noted that the report indicated a possibility of him suffering from autism spectrum disorder.
Both the prosecution and defence lawyers did not object for the DJ’s call for an assessment of his suitability for a MTO.
The 16-year-old was convicted of posting an obscene image online and posting content intended to hurt the religious feelings of Christians after a two-day trial last month.
Amos had been remanded in Changi Prison since June 2 to be assessed on whether he is mentally and physically suited for reformative training, after he rejected the option of probation.
Yesterday (June 22), the United Nations Human Rights Office for South-east Asia called for the government to review the 16-year-old’s conviction and asked that prosecutors drop their demand for reformative training.
Among those in the filled courtroom this morning were activist Teo Soh Lung and Amos’ parents. His mother, Ms Mary Toh, donned a white T-shirt with a #FreeAmosYee message showing a picture of Amos in a yellow submarine.
Amos will return to court on July 6.— Today
