singapore/cambridge massachusetts nephew singapore prime minister say contempt court proceed stem comment make country legal system meritless appoint lawyer represent singapore attorney-general office start court proceed august li shengwu facebook post say singapore government litigious pliant court system li grandson city state found leader lee kuan yew say weekend retain singapore attorney abraham vergis firm providence law asia represent sad singapore government continue press meritless charge li u.s.-based academic tell reuters vergis veteran litigation lawyer appear singapore high court monday closed-door conference case say case likely draw process ask li plan proceed vergis tell reuters premature talk lawyer francis ng senior state counsel attorney general chamber decline comment singapore parliament last year pass bill make punishable three years prison fine 100,000 us 73,530 anyone allege country judiciary bias ng previously describe li facebook post egregious baseless attack singapore legal system aug. li say mean attack singapore judiciary amend private post avoid misunderstand though disclose change make li tell reuters separate comment interview august leave country july friends express concern might detain authorities interview li identify friends specify information reuters independent evidence li face threats safety singapore possible one detain interrogate time without lawyer li say time case relate feud lee kuan yew three children fate lee house early year grip nation accustom dispute erupt public view lee hsien yang sister lee wei ling accuse elder brother prime minister lee hsien loong abuse power try save house historic monument defiance father wish premier call special sit parliament clear air issue afterwards say debate fail find substantial evidence abuse power lee kuan yew die 2015 age 91 live house life singapore founder 's grandson name lawyer contempt case