Day 1: Amos Yee pleads not guilty to both charges

SINGAPORE — The two-day trial for Amos Yee, who has been charged with making offensive remarks about Christians and circulating obscene images, began today (May 7) at around 11am.

He pleaded not guilty to both charges against him, namely attacking Christianity and transmitting an obscene image online.

He has opted not to give evidence for the witness stand. The trial has been adjourned to 2.30pm tomorow, as the defence says they need time to study exhibits tendered. 

Amos was charged on March 31 over remarks he made in a video uploaded on YouTube. He initially faced three charges, but one charge for making comments about the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew that were likely to cause distress to Singaporeans, was stood down.

Last week, he broke bail conditions by posting on his blog, leading to his bailor Vincent Law, a youth and family counsellor, to apply to be discharged. District Judge Kessler Soh also raised the bail amount from S$20,000 to S$30,000.

He has been in remand in Changi Prison for one full week.

Yesterday, the High Court threw out his bid to vary the conditions of his bail, after he held out on his terms.

If convicted of wounding the feelings of Christians, Yee, who is being tried as an adult, could be jailed for up to three years and/or fined. The offence of transmitting obscene images carries up to three months’ jail and/or a fine.