The founder of an independent news outlet said that police searched his home today and seized his laptop and mobile phone after he appeared for questioning over its Facebook advertising.

Thum Ping Tjin confirmed Monday afternoon that officers took his phone and computer after New Naratif published a photo it said showed them doing so at about 3pm, not long after he appeared at a local police station over a complaint filed by elections officials over five paid Facebook ads. The Elections Department deemed the ads, posted during the recent election, to be “election activity” and said they were placed without the written authority of a candidate or elections agent as required by law.

This morning, Thum Ping Tjin described the accusations as “ludicrous” in a morning tweet outside the Clementi Police Station.

“This is ludicrous of course and it’s a thinly veiled attempt at harassment and intimidation against New Naratif so we urge the Singapore government to withdraw this police report,” he said.