Benjamin Glynn, 39-years-old, was arrested for not wearing (and refusing to do so) a mask in public.
The British national, who is a father of two, had been working in Singapore since January 2017 for a British recruitment company here.
He said that he should be allowed to leave Singapore, and that he shouldn’t have to go to court just for not wearing a mask.
He is currently waiting for his case to be heard in court after a video of him not wearing a mask and refusing one that was offered to him in the MRT, went viral.
SMRT later made a police report after being alerted to his actions in the train.
Adamantly against masks
Glynn was referred as an “anti-masker, who goes against public health advice to wear a mask to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
He said:
“I had no idea anyone had even been filming, but it turned out a video of me unmasked on the late train home from work surfaced online.”
“The police obviously saw it and the next day they were at the door.”
“I don’t believe there is any evidence that masks protect you from Covid-19.”
He also revealed that he had gone without wearing masks in Singapore multiple times.
He said:
“I never normally wear a mask but this is the first time it has been an issue. Normally I would just tell people I’m exempt and it had never posed any issues before.”
“But now I’m stuck here without my family and I don’t even know when I will appear in court, never mind what my sentence will be. All for something I don’t even believe in.”
“This whole situation is ridiculous. I want to leave the country anyway – just let me go!”
“I think it’s insane that I am facing a trial at all, just for not wearing a mask. It’s a horrible situation to be in when I don’t know when I can next see my family.”
“Especially when I don’t even believe masks stop the spread of the virus in the first place.”
“I honestly believe it’s a hoax — I don’t feel there is any evidence to show mask-wearing is effective in any way.”
“From a scientific basis, I think it’s nonsense.”
UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office steps in
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is currently assisting Glynn with his situation, they said:
“We are assisting a British man who is awaiting trial in Singapore, and have been in contact with the local police about his case.”
The Singapore Police also said:
“On May 9, 2021, the police arrested a 39-year-old man for allegedly causing public nuisance and flouting safe distancing measures in relation to the case. Police investigations are ongoing. Everyone should take the safe distancing measures seriously. The police will not tolerate such blatant disregard of the law and wilful breaches of safe distancing measures.”
Images source: Keefe Chan on Facebook and Benjamin Glynn