Singapore man’s samurai sword social-media antics land him in court

Joel Ezekiel, a 49-year-old Singaporean, was handed one charge of possessing a knuckle duster without lawful purpose.

Ezekiel was remanded and appeared in court via video link, draped in a blanket or towel.

Police said in a statement that they received a report of a video on social media, showing a man wielding a samurai sword in public.

Ezekiel’s public Facebook page includes a video that was uploaded on October 28, showing him standing at what appears to be an open area at a public-housing block.

After unsheathing the sword and laying its scabbard aside, he takes aim at an isotonic drink bottle balanced on top of a water drum placed on a stool.

The top of the bottle is sliced off by the blade, with the liquid splashing on the floor.

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Police identified Ezekiel and arrested him at a flat on York Hill within hours of the report.

A raid of his house uncovered more weapons besides the sword: a butterfly knife, a flick knife and a knuckle duster.

Drug paraphernalia was also found, and the Central Narcotics Bureau is investigating Ezekiel for drug-related offences.

The prosecution on Monday asked for an adjournment for investigations to be completed and requested for bail of S$15,000 (US$11,700) to be offered to Ezekiel.

When asked if he had anything to say, he repeatedly asked about his identity card. He will return to court in November.

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If convicted under Singapore’s Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act for possessing a scheduled weapon, Ezekiel could be jailed for up to five years and given at least six strokes of the cane as a first offender.

A repeat offender can be jailed for between two and eight years and given at least six strokes of the cane.