Dani Cuesta put pictures of himself outside Valencia CF’s millionaire owner, Peter Lim, while carrying a placard denouncing the businessman.
On Friday, when Mr. Cuesta and his companion Mireia Sáez attempted to exit Singapore airport, they were apprehended and their passports seized, Valencia Mayor María José Catalá stated to the Spanish radio station Onda Cero.
According to Singapore police, who told the news, the two are cooperating with continuing investigations into the suspected crime of “taking part in a public assembly”.
Singapore possesses some of the most stringent regulations on public assembly worldwide, encompassing gatherings of a single individual as well.
According to the government, these laws are required to uphold safety and order.
A Singaporean activist who has long advocated for free speech was detained in 2020 for holding a sign featuring a happy face in her photo.
Mr. Cuesta wrote on X not long after arriving in Singapore on Thursday, saying he would “take some photos with my lovely flag,” which says “Lim Go Home”.
The supporters of Valencia, who have watched their team’s fortunes drastically worsen during his ten years in office, hold a profound dislike for Mr. Lim.
Mr. Cuesta shared a number of pictures of himself displaying the yellow flag at several Singaporean tourist locations after receiving encouragement from internet users.
