'The living conditions are so bad': Ex-detainee's warning for Hiep Tran
Chau Van Kham spent more than four years in a Vietnamese prison on terrorism charges. He says Australian Hiep Tran, who was detained after going missing in Cambodia, can expect a long sentence.
Hiep Tran, a human rights activist in Melbourne, has been detained in Vietnam and is facing uncertain conditions, according to ex-detainee Chau Van Kham. Kham, who spent four and a half years in prison on terrorism charges, believes Tran is likely subjected to poor living conditions and constant surveillance by Vietnamese secret police.
Tran was abducted in Cambodia and charged with illegal border crossing with forged documents. He has not been heard from since September 18 and missed his flight to Bangkok. Tran's wife, Chloe Dang, expressed concern over the lack of communication and the Vietnamese government's claims, stating that she has not been informed of his custody until media reports.
Viet Tan executive director Duy Hoang suspects Tran was abducted by Vietnamese intelligence and is being held under fabricated charges. Kham warns that Tran may face a lengthy imprisonment, similar to his own experience, unless the Australian government intervenes and demands consular access.
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