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Singapore Charges 18-Year-Old French Student Over Vending-Machine Straw Licking Video

The case underscores Singapore's tough public-hygiene rules.

Overview

  • The French student, formally charged Monday, faces up to three months in jail for a public-order offence and up to two years for causing loss or damage.
  • He filmed himself on March 12 licking a straw from an orange-juice vending machine and posted it on Instagram with the caption "city is not safe."
  • Operator iJooz says it replaced about 500 straws, filed a police complaint, and rolled out extra hygiene checks.
  • Judicial documents name him as Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien, who holds a student visa and studies at ESSEC's Singapore campus.
  • His parents traveled to Singapore, a school representative offered to act as bail surety, and the next court hearing is set for May 22.