Singapore Court Charges French Student Over Straw Prank

A 19‑year‑old French student at ESSEC Business School in Singapore has been charged with vandalism and disturbing public order after pulling a straw through his mouth from a juice vending machine and returning it, actions he posted on Instagram. The incident, which occurred in March at the Goldhill Centre mall, forced the operator to replace all 500 straws, causing a reported loss of five Singapore dollars (about €3.30).

The prosecution seeks a sentence of up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both. The court postponed the hearing to allow immigration authorities to determine whether the student’s pass would be revoked if convicted, a factor that could affect the penalty. ESSEC has opened its own investigation into the matter.