Australia urged to help free activist jailed in Vietnam
By AAP Australia is being urged to act after a Melbourne activist and two others were jailed by Vietnamese authorities on terror charges. Democracy campaigner Tran Hiep was due to meet his wife, Chloe Dang, in Bangkok after travelling to the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh to meet with human rights defenders. But the 50-year-old Melbourne […] The post Australia urged to help free activist jailed in…
Australian democracy campaigner Tran Hiep, also known as Ho Pham Hiep Huy, is feared to be in Vietnamese custody without contact after September 18. His wife Chloe Dang expressed worry to the Australian Associated Press (AAP), requesting the Australian government intervene to secure his release. The Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security stated the three detained activists had admitted to membership of Viet Tan, a proscribed terrorist organization by Vietnam's government, and were accused of conducting "terrorist and sabotage activities" and forging documents.
Hiep, an Australian citizen, was traveling to meet Vietnamese activists in Cambodia on September 18. Viet Tan has denounced the arrests, accusing Vietnamese authorities of politically motivated charges to suppress their activities. Australian Minister Penny Wong is reportedly seeking confirmation from Vietnamese authorities regarding the detained citizen.
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