SINGAPORE: A Spanish couple’s recent trip to Singapore turned into a diplomatic saga as they faced serious police scrutiny for staging protests directed at Peter Lim, the controversial owner of the Valencia football club.

The couple’s experience raises important questions about free speech and the limits of public assembly in Singapore.

The couple, Dani Cuesta, 34, and his wife Mireia Saez, 30, had their passports confiscated by the Singapore Police while investigations took place.

Fortunately, they have since left the country, with authorities confirming their departure on October 15.

The police issued a stern warning to both individuals after “considering the facts and circumstances of the case” in consultation with the Attorney-General's Chambers.

Dani was served with warnings for participating in a public assembly without the necessary permit according to the Public Order Act 2009 and for affixing protest notices under the Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act 1906.

Mireia was cautioned for her role in supporting his actions.

Following the incident, the couple expressed their relief in a statement released by their family.

They noted, 'In the end, everything has been reduced to a warning,' which was highlighted in reports from several news outlets including respected Spanish newspapers and The New York Times.

They thanked institutions like the Spanish Embassy in Singapore for their support during this challenging time, while urging the public to respect their privacy.

The couple’s protest came as they were allegedly on their honeymoon.

Their troubles began on October 4, when they were stopped at Changi Airport while attempting to leave for Bali.

Reports indicate that they were targeted for waving a prominent banner that read “Lim go home” at various popular locations including the Esplanade and Marina Bay, as well as outside the Abelia condominium associated with Lim.

Eyewitness accounts and social media footage captured Dani pasting stickers with anti-Lim slogans at the gates of the luxury condominium.

This public display of dissent not only attracted the attention of passersby but ultimately led to a police report and their subsequent detention.

The incident shines a light on the rigorous enforcement of public order laws in Singapore, which are designed to maintain harmony but often attract criticism regarding the limitations on free expression.

As governments worldwide grapple with the balance between security and civil liberties, the couple's experience serves as a reminder of contemporary challenges faced by citizens expressing dissent.

With their warning now issued, the couple has returned to Valencia, hoping to put this chapter behind them.

However, their story may linger as a cautionary tale about the pitfalls of public protest in a strictly governed environment.