Singapore prison officer accused of taking bribes to smuggle nude photos, prescription drugs to inmate
SINGAPORE: A prison officer who allegedly took bribes from an inmate to smuggle prohibited items, including nude photos and prescription drugs, into Changi Prison was charged in court on July 25.
Mohammad Asri Abd Rahim, 39, was handed five charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act for accepting gratification.
In a statement, the Singapore Prison Service (SPS) said Asri has been interdicted on half pay, pending the outcome of the case.
The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) said in a separate statement that on seven occasions between August 2021 and June 2022, Asri allegedly accepted bribes amounting to S$3,700 (US$2,892) from inmate Mohamad Yusof Kasimas, 50.
This was an inducement to smuggle the prohibited items, which also included magazines, into Changi Prison, said the CPIB.
Two other inmates – Wilson Ang, 37, and Murali Vigneshwaran, 36 – allegedly aided Yusof in giving the bribes to Asri on several occasions.
Yusof was handed five charges related to the giving of bribes, while Ang and Murali each faced a similar charge.
In court on July 25, Asri said he will not be engaging a lawyer and that he will be pleading guilty. The prison officer, who is out on bail, will plead guilty on Sept 5.
Yusof and Murali, who are still serving sentences, also indicated their intention to plead guilty and will do so on the same day.
Ang, who is out on bail, was represented in court by a lawyer, and his case was adjourned for a further mention on Aug 22.
Wilson Ang allegedly aided inmate Mohamad Yusof Kasimas in giving bribes to a prison officer.
In its statement, the SPS said it was alerted on Oct 10, 2022, that Asri had smuggled nude photographs into prison for an inmate in exchange for money.
It immediately launched an investigation, and the case was later referred to the CPIB.
The SPS said its officers are expected to uphold the law and maintain the highest standards of conduct and integrity. It added that it takes a very serious view of officers who break the law.
'Any SPS officer found to have done so will be dealt with to the fullest extent of the law, including being charged in court,' it said.
Any person convicted of accepting or giving bribes under the Prevention of Corruption Act can be fined up to S$100,000, jailed for up to five years, or both. - The Straits Times/ANN
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