Family on Terror Charges: – Fabricated Stories and Evidence
By TV 2
Original article in Norwegian ↗
Now the family responds about Norwegian Thuan Duc Nguyen (52), who is held in custody in Vietnam.
– We were relieved, of course. Because we have been struggling for ten days to get any sign of life from him, says Thien Duc Nguyen to TV 2.
His brother, Thuan Duc Nguyen, first disappeared in Cambodia eleven days ago. Only on Monday this week it became known that he had been arrested in Vietnam.
The arrested Norwegian has a Vietnamese background, and is a member of the organization VietTan, which is a pro-democracy organization that works for human rights and democracy in Vietnam.
The brother Thien is also a member of VietTan.
The family has so far not been able to speak with the 52-year-old.
– My younger brother made direct contact with the security police in Vietnam. They confirmed that they had him, and we wanted to speak with him. But we were not allowed to, says Thien.
Branded as Terrorist
Thuan Duc Nguyen has previously met Norway's development minister Åsmund Aukrust (Labour) to tell about the human rights situation in Vietnam.
But the authorities in Vietnam believe VietTan is a dangerous terrorist organization.
– Until 2016 there were many large protests, which they claim VietTan is behind. That's why they needed to brand us as terrorists. That way they can more easily convict activists who protest, says Helena Huong Nguyen to TV 2.
She is the media contact for the family of arrested Thuan Duc Nguyen.
The protests she mentions included the environmental disaster that occurred in April 2016. They also involved opposition to China and action for workers' rights.
Nguyen believes the terrorist branding is now being used by Vietnamese authorities to target the organization and its members.
Both the family and Nguyen reject the claims that arrested Thuan is any terrorist.
Family: Had Plans for the Holiday
Nevertheless, Vietnamese authorities say he is suspected of entering the country to commit sabotage and terrorism.
– We know from previous cases that they can fabricate stories and evidence. But we know Thuan, my brother. He was supposed to travel home from Bangkok to Norway on September 21, says Thien to TV 2.
He further tells that the family had plans to travel on holiday together during the fall break.
– There were no indications that he was supposed to be in the area longer than what was planned, he adds.
Claims He Was Abducted
Two other men are said to have been arrested in the same operation.
The organization claims the men have been abducted in Cambodia, and involuntarily been taken across the border to Vietnam, where they have been arrested.
– We weren't 100 percent sure. Anything can happen. But based on previous experiences and documented cases, this was our theory, says Helena Huong Nguyen.
She points to several similar abduction cases over many years, which she believes indicate that this is a method used by Vietnamese authorities.
For example, Vietnamese YouTuber Duong Van Thai is said to have been abducted by Vietnamese authorities while he waited for a response to his asylum application in Thailand.
He was sentenced to 12 years in prison for "creating or spreading information aimed at opposing the Socialist Republic of Vietnam," BBC reported the following year.
In Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has already promised that they will assist with consular help to the family of their citizen, who was arrested together with Norwegian Nguyen.
– That is what Australian authorities do for our citizens. We also continue direct dialogue with the family, says Albanese to Australian ABC.
The Foreign Ministry informs TV 2 that the case has high priority.
– We have great understanding that this case is a very difficult matter for all involved. The Foreign Service at the embassy in Hanoi and the Foreign Ministry provide consular assistance in this case. We are in contact with the family and immediately asked for information from Vietnamese authorities to confirm the imprisonment and about consular access.
The Ministry also states that they have raised the family's concerns about Thuan's health with Vietnamese authorities.
– The Foreign Ministry prioritizes this case highly.
Fears for His Health
The family is now particularly worried about Thuan's health. He has diabetes and is dependent on insulin daily.
– We don't know if the medicine he had taken with him has been kept after he was taken, says his brother to TV 2.
Thien also tells that Thuan previously donated a kidney to a seriously ill brother. The family therefore fears the consequences if the 52-year-old does not receive the medicines and health care he needs.
– We first and foremost want to know where he is. Now we only know that he has been taken by Vietnamese police, but we don't know where he is, says Thien.
He hopes Norwegian authorities can gain access to his brother and confirm his health status.
VietTan also wants a doctor to examine the arrested men.
– We don't just want the Vietnamese government to say that they are doing well, but that someone actually checks it, says the VietTan spokesperson.
TV 2 is aware that the family and VietTan are to meet the Foreign Ministry in Oslo on Wednesday.