In brief
Nathan Law, a well-known pro-democracy activist from Hong Kong living in exile, was denied entry to Singapore after being detained at the border. Despite holding a valid visa for a conference, Singaporean officials stated that his presence would not serve the national interest. Law believes the denial was politically motivated. He is facing allegations of endangering national security in Hong Kong, where he is on a wanted list. Singapore's government has emphasized its stance against the political activities of foreign entities within its borders.
A pro-democracy campaigner who fled Hong Kong has been denied entry to Singapore despite being granted a visa, with the city-state saying his presence would not be in its national interests.
Nathan Law, who lives in exile in the UK, said he arrived in Singapore on Saturday to attend a closed-door, invitation-only conference but was detained at the border for hours before he was deported.
I was not asked questions and they did not give reason for the denial, he told the BBC.
Mr. Law, who also previously served as a local legislator in Hong Kong, is one of eight exiled activists who is wanted by the city's authorities, who have accused him of endangering national security.
Singapore has an extradition treaty with Hong Kong.
Mr. Law's entry into and presence in the country would not be in Singapore's national interests, said the ministry's spokesman in response to queries from the BBC.
In a statement, Mr. Law said he believes the denial of entry was for political reasons, expressing uncertainty whether external forces, such as the People’s Republic of China, were involved.
On Sunday, the activist was put on the earliest flight back to San Francisco, his point of departure.
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson described Mr. Law as an anti-China, anti-Hong Kong troublemaker and emphasized the legal autonomy each jurisdiction has over immigration matters.
Nathan Law is a prominent figure in Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement, having fled in 2020 afterChina imposed a national security law that could lead to life imprisonment for 'secession' and 'subversion'.
