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No diplomatic intervention for Italian swimmers who shoplifted in S'pore: Shanmugam
They were treated in accordance with a framework that applies to all offenders, foreign or local, Shanmugam said.
September 25, 2025, 12:09 PM
There were no diplomatic interventions to influence the outcome for the two Italian swimmers arrested for shoplifting in Singapore in August, Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam said on Sep. 24.
He was responding to a parliamentary question from Workers' Party MP Gerald Giam regarding the protocol for the investigation and release of detained foreign visitors, as well as whether diplomatic intervention from a foreign embassy can influence the legal outcome of such a case.
After Chiara Tarantino, 22, and Benedetta Pilato, 20, were caught stealing three bottles of perfume from a duty-free shop at Changi Airport on Aug. 14, the Italian embassy was contacted.
On Aug. 19, they received a 12-month conditional warning and were allowed to return to Italy the next day with a ban on re-entering Singapore.
In a written parliamentary reply, Shanmugam said that "the provision of consular assistance has no bearing on the investigation process and legal outcome".
Equal treatment
The two swimmers were treated in accordance with a framework based on the type of offence committed, which applies to all offenders, foreign or local, Shanmugam clarified.
"Singaporeans are treated similarly," he emphasised.
This framework includes considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the severity of the offence, any aggravating or mitigating factors, and how similar cases have been treated.
Based on these considerations, "the police and AGC (Attorney-General's Chambers) assessed that a 12-month conditional warning was appropriate", Shanmugam said.
Given that they are foreigners, an entry ban was also imposed.
Shanmugam added that foreign offenders are entitled to consular access through their embassy upon an arrest or detention, just as Singaporeans would be if they were arrested or detained in other countries.
The Italian swimmers had requested consular access when they were arrested, and the police alerted the Italian embassy.
The outcome, however, was not influenced by any diplomatic intervention.
Top images from the World Aquatics website and the Italian Embassy in Singapore
