13-11-2024 (SINGAPORE) A 17-year-old Australian teenager with autism was refused entry at Singapore’s Changi Airport due to previous terrorism-related investigations, leading to a 30-hour detention of his entire family before their forced return to Australia.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) confirmed that the youth, who arrived on 24 October with his parents and two siblings for a planned 10-day Southeast Asian holiday, was flagged due to his 2021 investigation by Australian authorities for radicalisation concerns.
“The individual had demonstrated fixation with ISIS and expressed interest in conducting a school shooting, alongside researching bomb-making materials and communicating with like-minded individuals,” an MHA spokesperson stated.
The case has drawn attention to the complexities of border security and mental health considerations. The teen was previously the subject of an Australian counter-terrorism operation at age 13, though he was later cleared of all criminal charges. A Victorian children’s court magistrate had criticised the handling of his case, noting that undercover operations had potentially undermined rehabilitation efforts.
During their detention, the family reported being held in constantly illuminated rooms with other detainees and were required to surrender personal belongings, including shoelaces. While the teen’s family members were offered the option to enter Singapore separately, they chose to return together on the next available flight.
The MHA defended their protocols, stating that the holding facilities provided necessary amenities and allowed family interaction during designated periods. “Entry into Singapore is neither automatic nor a right,” the ministry emphasised, adding that all cases are individually assessed with security considerations paramount.
