SINGAPORE — Fugitive lawyer Charles Yeo, who fled Singapore after criminal charges were filed against him, remains at large and has told an investigation officer that he does not intend to return, a district court heard on Wednesday (March 29).

A warrant of arrest against him, issued last August when the 32-year-old breached bail conditions by failing to return to Singapore after a work trip, was extended by the courts during a review.

Yeo, who is also the former chairman of Reform Party, has previously said on his Instagram account that he was seeking political asylum in the United Kingdom. He said this after he was charged in January 2022 for the following:

One count of uttering words with deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings of another under the Penal Code

Two counts of attempting to utter words with deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings of another under the Penal Code

Three counts of making abusive, threatening or insulting communication towards a public servant under the Protection from Harassment Act

He had said then that he intended to contest the charges and offered to step down as chairman of the opposition party until the matter was resolved.