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Charles Yeo, ex-Reform Party chairman, wanted by police for failing to return to Singapore: report

Charles Yeo, one of the Reform Party’s team of candidates contesting Ang Mo Kio GRC, seen at Deyi Secondary School on Nomination Day (30 June). (PHOTO: Dhany Osman / Yahoo News Singapore)
Former Reform Party chairman Charles Yeo. (FILE PHOTO: Dhany Osman / Yahoo News Singapore)

SINGAPORE — Former Reform Party chairman Charles Yeo is wanted by the Singapore police, after he failed to return to the country, thus breaching court conditions for the approval of his overseas travel.

CNA reported on Monday (1 August) that the Singapore Police Force (SPF) has issued a gazette for Yeo's arrest, and is working with foreign law enforcement counterparts to trace the 31-year-old's whereabouts.

Yeo, who is a criminal defence lawyer, was charged in January over insulting remarks towards Christianity and a public servant.

He was on bail when he left Singapore last week, after obtaining permission to travel to Vietnam for work. According to the police, instead of returning to Singapore, Yeo said he had flown to Britain.

Yeo posted an announcement on Instagram on Saturday saying that he was seeking “political asylum” in the United Kingdom, claiming that the criminal charges against him have been "politically motivated".

The police told CNA that they are aware of Yeo's social media posts. They added that Yeo is on police bail as he is under investigation for separate offences of allegedly committing criminal breach of trust and forgery, in relation to complaints lodged against Whitefield Law Corporation, where he was a former partner.

Granted permission to travel on from 27 to 30 July

According to CNA, Yeo was granted permission to travel to Vietnam on 20 July, for work between 27 and 30 July.

The police said Yeo reported to the investigation officer on 26 July to collect his passport, provide his travel itinerary and furnish additional bail. Upon his return, he was required to report to the investigation officer on Monday at 6pm to surrender his passport.

"Charles Yeo did not return to Singapore on 30 July and he did not report to the investigation officer on 1 August. Police attempted to contact Charles Yeo on 1 August but to no avail," SPF said.

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