SINGAPORE, April 2, 2025 – A 17-year-old male teenager has been detained by Singaporean authorities after being found planning a bloody attack against Muslims at five mosques across the country. The teenager not only intended to kill at least 100 Muslims but also wanted to broadcast the massacre live on social media.
According to the Internal Security Department (ISD), the suspect was influenced by supremacist ideology and idolized Brenton Tarrant, the terrorist responsible for the 2019 attacks on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. He aimed to surpass the death toll of that attack and referred to himself as an “East Asian Supremacist.”
A Well-Planned Attack
ISD’s investigation revealed that the teenager had meticulously planned his attack, intending to strike after Friday prayers at five selected locations. He had conducted surveillance of the mosques and analyzed entry and exit points to maximize the impact of his assault.
Even more concerning, the teenager had repeatedly attempted to acquire firearms through the dark web and trusted individuals. Singapore’s Minister for Home Affairs, K Shanmugam, disclosed that the suspect openly admitted to investigators that if he had obtained a weapon, he would not have hesitated to carry out his plans.
Links to Online Radical Elements
Authorities also discovered that the teenager frequently interacted in extremist forums and shared his hateful ideology with like-minded individuals. He was reportedly in contact with an 18-year-old named Nick Lee, who was detained in December for planning a similar attack.
The phenomenon of online radicalization is not new to Singapore. Last year, another teenage boy was detained for allegedly planning a knife attack in support of the Islamic State (IS) group. These cases highlight the persistent threat stemming from the spread of extremist ideologies in the digital sphere.
Singapore Takes Firm Action
Authorities have warned that Singapore will not tolerate any form of extremism or security threats. ISD emphasized that their swift action successfully thwarted an attack that could have claimed many lives.
“We take all threats seriously. If anyone shows signs of radicalization or intends to carry out an attack, they will be arrested before they can act,” said Shanmugam.
The public is also urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to authorities to ensure national security is maintained.
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