SINGAPORE: A Chinese couple on trial for obstructing COVID-19 contact tracing efforts will not be allowed to return to China before the trial resumes in January, after a High court review of a district judge's decision granting them permission to leave Singapore.
Justice Vincent Hoong on Monday (Oct 19) agreed with the prosecution's application to overturn the decision by District Judge Ng Peng Hong.
AdvertisementAdvertisementJudge Ng had granted the application on Oct 9 for Hu Jun, 39, and his wife Shi Sha, 37 to leave Singapore for China and to return in January before the trial resumes.
This was after the couple's lawyer Dhanwant Singh said his clients had spent a long time away from home and that Hu needs to return to China for business reasons.
The prosecutor had objected, saying the pair will abscond as neither of them has any ties or roots in Singapore.
"All we have is really the accused persons' say that they will not abscond. This is not sufficient," the prosecution had said.
AdvertisementAdvertisementThe lower court judge granted the application after hearing from the couple's bailors and from Shi, who said she and her husband have been cooperative during the investigation and will come back to Singapore "very responsibly".
[h=3]READ: Couple allowed to return to China before COVID-19 trial continues, prosecution seeks review of decision[/h]Judge Ng increased bail by S$80,000 each and imposed conditions such as providing their travel details to their investigating officer.
The prosecution concluded its case in August and the next tranche of the trial is set to begin on Jan 25 next year.
AdvertisementHu and Shi are accused of obstructing contact tracing efforts by health authorities by omitting information about their whereabouts.
If convicted of the offences, they face penalties of up to six months' jail, a maximum S$10,000 fine or both, for each charge.
[h=3]BOOKMARK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and its developments[/h]Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: Telegram: Contact @cnalatest
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