SINGAPORE: A 14-year-old became the youngest person to be issued a restriction order under Singapore' Internal Security Act (ISA).
The boy, who was self-radicalised, was one of two Singaporeans issued restriction orders in the past two months, according to the republic's Straits Times.
The other is former public servant An'nadya An'nahari, 33, who was a manager with a statutory board at the point of investigation, ST quoted the Internal Security Department (ISD) as saying today.
ISD said both were radicalised online separately due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
It said the teen wanted to fight for the Black Flag Army (BFA), a Muslim army prophesied as engaging in the final battle with non-believers during the end of times.
It reported that the teen had wanted to carry out attacks in Singapore and started a chat group in the hopes of recruiting up to 100 people.
ISD said he even tried to radicalise his schoolmates but failed.
ST quoted Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam as saying the case was worrying.
"Worryingly, he is the youngest ISA case today. And you know, it took only a few months for him to be radicalised.
"And he also thought about attacking non-Muslims in Singapore during festivals like Chinese New Year, Christmas, Deepavali, because he considered them un-Islamic."
ISD said the youth's parents had noticed he was increasingly expressing segregationist beliefs, but did not think they warranted intervention and assistance.
ST said the 33-year-old was a staunch supporter of the axis of resistance (AOR), a network of Islamist militant and terrorist organisations, and advocated violence against Israelis and Jews, said ISD.
Under restriction orders, the duo cannot change residences or jobs, nor can they travel out of Singapore, without the ISD's approval.
They also cannot access the internet or social media, issue any public statements, address public meetings, nor can they print, distribute o contribute to any publication.
They will also not be able to hold office in or be a member of any organisation, association or group without prior approval.
Shanmugam said many Singaporeans, including himself, are rightly concerned about the ongoing situation in Gaza.
"Many of us sympathise with the Palestinian cause. I sympathise with the Palestinian cause. They should have their own country and not suffer like this.
"But sympathy for any foreign cause cannot mean we can support or allow terrorism. Action was taken against a young boy and An'nadya, not because they supported Palestine... action was taken against the two of them because of their support for armed violence.
"And, in the case of the young boy, because also that he was prepared to engage in armed violence himself."