Yi Huaichun, a 44-year-old Chinese national, has been remanded in Singapore on charges of attempting to steal from passengers during a flight from Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital, to Singapore, according to a report by Channel NewsAsia.
Charges and Court Proceedings
Yi Huaichun faced three charges related to attempting theft from passengers on Cambodia Airways flight KR751 from Phnom Penh to Singapore on the morning of December 15. The charges allege Yi’s attempts to steal from different passengers’ belongings, including a black haversack, a black backpack, and a black leather bag.
Yi was initially charged on December 16 and has been remanded since. In his court appearance on December 22, when asked to indicate his plea, he declared his innocence. The charges against Yi fall under Section 3(2) of the Tokyo Convention Act, allowing Singapore to prosecute individuals for offenses committed on board an aircraft that subsequently lands in Singapore.
Legal Consequences
If convicted of attempted theft, Yi Huaichun could face a maximum sentence of up to three years in jail, a fine, or both. The case is set for a pre-trial conference in January, where further legal proceedings will be determined.
Similar Incident
This incident follows a recent case involving another Chinese national, Zhang Xiuqiang, who was charged with stealing approximately S$31,000 (US$23,260) from three passengers on a Scoot flight from Vietnam to Singapore. These incidents underscore the importance of airline security and the legal consequences for individuals attempting theft during flights.