Indonesian Citizen Hid Knife in Shoe at Changi Airport, Faces Three Years in Prison
A man of Indonesian nationality was found hiding a knife inside his shoe while undergoing screening at Changi Airport in Singapore. As a result of his actions, the Indonesian man will be tried in Singapore on charges of carrying a dangerous weapon in a public place. The Indonesian man also faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison if found guilty by the court.
The incident occurred in the departure hall of Terminal 4 at Changi Airport, with the Singapore Police Force receiving a report on the case on Thursday (27/8) at noon local time.
The man, identified as a 32-year-old Indonesian national, was caught carrying a knife with a total length of 19.5 cm and a blade length of 12 cm while passing through the integrated screening area at Terminal 4. The knife was found inside the sock he was wearing.
The knife was first detected by an X-ray machine operated by Changi Airport security officers. One officer detected the presence of a suspicious sharp object inside the right shoe of the man, after he was asked to remove his shoes before passing through the screening lane.
The Indonesian man was then taken to an inspection room for further search, where a knife, complete with its sheath, was found inside his right shoe.
The sharp weapon, according to the Singapore Police Force, was wrapped in several layers of plastic bags and sealed using adhesive tape.
The motive of the Indonesian man for carrying the knife in his shoe is not clearly known.
The man, whose name was not disclosed to the public, was due to be charged in a Singapore court on Saturday (29/8) with carrying a dangerous weapon in a public place.
Under the laws in force in Singapore, the offence carries a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment and at least six strokes of the cane.
The Singapore Police Force warned that it takes seriously any attempt to bring dangerous weapons into public spaces.
“Travellers are reminded that anyone found carrying a dangerous weapon without a lawful purpose will be dealt with firmly in accordance with the law,” the local police stressed.