A pro-democracy campaigner who fled Hong Kong has been denied entry to Singapore despite being granted a visa, with the city-state saying his presence would not be in its national interests.
Nathan Law, who lives in exile in the UK, said he arrived in Singapore on Saturday to attend a closed-door, invitation-only conference but was detained at the border for hours before he was deported.
I was not asked questions and they did not give reason for the denial, he told the BBC.
Mr. Law, who also previously served as a local legislator in Hong Kong, is one of eight exiled activists who is wanted by the city's authorities, who have accused him of endangering national security.
Singapore has an extradition treaty with Hong Kong.
Mr. Law's entry into and presence in the country would not be in Singapore's national interests, said the ministry's spokesman in response to queries from the BBC.
A visa holder is still subject to further checks at the point of entry into the country. That is what happened with Nathan Law, said the spokesman, adding that Mr. Law was referred for questioning, and immigration and security assessment after he landed.
The government had previously stated it takes a clear and strong stand against the importation of politics of other countries into Singapore.
In a statement, Mr. Law expressed his belief that the denial of entry stemmed from political reasons, speculating on possible external influence, including that from the People's Republic of China (PRC).
On Sunday, the activist was put on the earliest flight back to San Francisco, where he originally departed.
A spokesperson from the Hong Kong government urged Mr. Law to cease all actions that threaten national security and return to Hong Kong to rectify his alleged wrongdoing.
The Chinese foreign ministry described Mr. Law as an anti-China, anti-Hong Kong troublemaker who has been lawfully placed on the wanted list by the Hong Kong police.
This incident underscores the complex political landscape surrounding Hong Kong's pro-democracy activists and the implications of Singapore's foreign policy stance.
