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- My hang
- BBC News English
Image source, FB Truong Chau Huu Danh
Facebook’s Truong Chau Huu Danh in a live streaming scene in 2019
The fact that the famous Facebooker and former journalist Truong Chau Huu Danh was prosecuted and arrested on the afternoon of December 17 is drawing Vietnamese public opinion.
Mr. Danh (38 years old, resident of An Vinh Ngai Commune, Tan An City, Long An Province) was arrested to investigate the behavior “Abuse of democratic freedoms to infringe the interests of the State, rights and interests of organizations and individuals ”, according to article 331 of the Penal Code of 2015.
Danh’s arrest took place just before the 13th National Party Congress and after Reporters Without Borders published its 2020 report, in which Vietnam was on the list of the 5 countries that imprison the most journalists. In the world.
Mr. Danh used to work as a reporter for Long An newspaper, Rural Today, Lao Dong, Lang Moi Electronics.
In recent years, Danh has become famous on social media after joining the movement against ‘dirty’ BOTs with many Vietnamese drivers.
Mr. Danh owns a Facebook page and a fanpage of the same name “Truong Chau Huu Danh” with tens of thousands of followers.
Stuck in a ‘vague’ term?
Commenting on the arrest, Hanoi lawyer Ngo Anh Tuan told the BBC:
“Mr. Truong Chau Huu Danh was detained under article 331 which developed from article 258 of the old Penal Code. I have participated in many cases like this, I know that the factors that make up this crime are very vague. . “
Specifically, the two main contents are ambiguous and unverified. First, on “Abuse of democratic freedoms”, we must consider how democratic we have been and the exploitation of this right. I mean, like “.
Second, as a consequence of “infringing on the legitimate rights and interests of the State,” what are those legitimate rights and interests?
Image source, Other
Truong Chau Huu Danh and a deposit of 200 and 500 dong in face value to purchase tickets through BOT Cai Lay station in August 2017
“For economic crimes, the damage due to the conduct of the accused or the accused continues to be measured, but in cases like this, people are almost uncountable, but it only gives. judgment is based mainly on the personal senses. “
“As a result, most of those arrested with the alleged violation of Article 331 and various other things related to national security are in fact simply ‘writing’, not acting. endanger national security as alleged by the competent state authorities. “
Regarding the reasons for arresting Mr. Truong Chau Huu Danh, Mr. Tuan said he does not rule out “the sectarian issue, but at the same time a measure to suppress dissidents and other social critics.”
“I see that the arrest that took place before the 13th National Party Congress could be a movement for people to ‘shake off’, ‘catch up’. I think Danh’s reach might actually be. But since this is a sensitive time, people don’t want dissenting voices, good news for one person but bad for another, and when it comes out, it can have effects. Therefore, to be cautious, people can handle it and at the same time it is a measure to intimidate other bloggers. “
‘Anti’ messages
Mr. Danh contributed his voice in many hot cases such as Dong Tam, Thu Thiem, Ho Duy Hai and many other current events.
All official Vietnamese newspapers on December 17 reported that Truong Chau Huu Danh was arrested for having “anti-state” articles on his personal page, but did not give specific examples.
The VTC Now website writes without giving evidence that recently, ‘taking advantage of his popularity’ on social media, Danh has ‘written many posts on his facebook to smear the state’.
The Vietnamnet page mentioned the incident in August 2020, Truong Chau Huu Danh repeatedly posted on his personal Facebook articles related to Nguyen Hoang Trung Kien (Can Tho), who committed suicide because he was sentenced to 9 months in prison. after using the excavator to demolish the Thinh Phat Company warehouse. But the post on this page doesn’t say this is ‘anti’ content or not.
Nguoi Lao Dong’s page mentioned the opening of the Golden Fashion Magazine branch in Can Tho organized by Mr. Danh in October, although it has not been authorized. After that, the Can Tho City TT-TT Department issued a written request to close this branch.
In a recent Amnesty International report published by BBC News that revealed that Facebook and Google are helping the Vietnamese government censor criticism and crack down on dissent, Danh is mentioned as a wallet. for example, from a famous blogger who experienced Facebook blocking his article on a case of national corruption.
What does the social network say?
Image source, Fb Truong Chau Huu Danh
Journalist Truong Chau Huu Danh
Journalist Huynh Ngoc Chenh: “Journalist Huu Danh is said to have a ‘neutral’ political opinion that does not disagree with the government’s political lines, but is still under arrest under article 331 which is used to arrest the government. Dissidents prisoners, defenders of human rights, activists for democracy and civil society “.
Nguyen Quang Thach, founder of the Rural Book movement: “I met Truong Chau Huu Danh a few times, especially during the trip to Kontum with the group Phan Chau Thanh to support Vinh Son Shelter. Everyone was very happy talking, everyone was eager to perform for social progress. Danh Making fun of BOT , moving officials in recent years, contributing to freedom of expression, it is worth entering the memory of many people. Going to jail is fun, Danh. “
Activist Pham Thanh Nghien: “There is another quite interesting detail related to the” fringe press “that should be mentioned. Yesterday afternoon, December 17, when Truong Chau Huu Danh had just been arrested, some newspapers published a story with the content. Comments are quite similar, in which they mention the details: Danh is a member of Clean Newspaper, Friend Huu Duong Xa, actively fights against dirty BOT, has influence in cyberspace … That is chi chi This morning I opened the articles to review, the old information … disappeared. I only posted information related to the event. “
Activist Trinh Kim Tien: “I am more concerned with article 331 (old 258), a loosely worded law that stifles journalist Truong Chau Huu Danh’s freedom of expression than wondering why he was arrested. We have fought long. Years to fight, to oppose this law because he violated our civil rights and trampled on our civil rights. Today it is still used to silence, imprison those who dare to speak in the commune. festival. “
