A man who went berserk with a sword and has a history of violent episodes was charged and placed under psychiatric observation this morning.
Fadhil Yusop, who appeared in court today in a wheelchair and an arm cast, was charged with one count of assault with a deadly weapon – in his case, a bonafide samurai sword – Monday just outside Buangkok Square mall. Afterward, he was remanded to Changi Prison Complex’s medical facility for three weeks of psychiatric observation.
The 37-year-old suspect is accused of slashing bystander Kumarapeli Arachchige Amila Chinthan thrice – once on his arm and twice on his shoulder.
Fadhil struck several vehicles before being pinned down by at least four passersby after attacking Chinthan, according to videos of the incident that immediately went viral.
The police said Fadhil had been popping pills prior to the assault, and they found pills yet to be identified back at his home.
Yesterday, six citizens were awarded for their bravery to help restrain the accused, including Chinthan and a Temasek Polytechnic student.
The Internal Security Department said last night that Fadhil shouted “Allahu Akbar” during the incident, but the investigation so far does not suggest his actions were an “act of terror.”
It added that he was previously given a written warning in 2016 for sharing photos of militant groups online though he had not been “radicalised” nor had any intention to “engage in armed violence.”
He was later arrested and jailed for nine months in January 2020 after approaching the leader of the Masjid Al-Mawaddah mosque with a knife, another incident the authorities deemed to be non-terrorism-related.
He was “robo-tripping” at the time of that incident, having slurped down cough medicine dextromethorphan.
He was also previously held at the Institute of Mental Health, where he was diagnosed with substance abuse problems.
Fadhil will return to court April 6. If convicted, he could be jailed for up to seven years with a fine and caned.
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