Italian Swimmers Who Shoplifted Banned From Re-entering S'pore

The Italian swimmers who were arrested for shoplifting at Changi Airport have been banned from re-entering Singapore, the Singapore Police Force said on Sept 4.

- Lok Jian Wen

In response to media queries, the police confirmed earlier reports that two female Italian nationals, aged 20 and 22, were arrested on Aug 14 for shoplifting.

As part of the standard procedures for cases involving foreigners arrested in Singapore, the police said they had informed the Embassy of Italy in Singapore of the case to provide consular assistance.

After considering the facts and circumstances of the case, and in consultation with Singapore's Attorney-General's Chambers, the police said they issued the two women a 12-month conditional warning.

In this period, the pair—Benedetta Pilato and Chiara Tarantino—are not to commit any other offences.

Both have since left Singapore and will be banned from re-entering, added the police.

Italian media had reported on Aug 29 about the alleged offence involving the pair, who were part of the Italian contingent that had competed at the July 11-Aug 3 World Aquatics Championships here.

They were detained at Changi Airport briefly by the police, having returned from a holiday in Bali before their scheduled return to Italy via Singapore.