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Singaporean teen faces up to 10 years in jail for false web post about former PM's death

The false news abouth the death of Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father of modern Singapore, who is reported critically ill, appeared on the website resembling that of the prime minister's office

SINGAPORE, March 20. /TASS/. Singapore police said on Friday they identified a local teenager suspected of publishing a false Internet post on behalf of the government about the death of former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew.

Police said the suspect was facing a fine of up to $36,100 or up to ten years in prison.

"The suspect was identified within 24 hours," police said without revealing his name.

The Singaporean prime minister's office reported on Wednesday that Lee, 91, who is widely recognized as the founding father of modern Singapore, was critically ill.

A few hours later, a web page resembling that of the prime minister’s office reported that Lee had died. Some international news outlets carried the false statement.

Lee, 91, who is widely recognized as the founding father of modern Singapore, was hospitalized with severe pneumonia on February 5.

Lee governed Singapore for three decades. Under his rule Singapore turned into the most prosperous nation in Southeast Asia.