Dr. Hoang Van Giang, a human rights defender and pro-democracy activist in Thanh Hoa province
The family also said that the police asked VND100 million ($4,400) for his release. However, the offer was turned down. The family had refused even when the police lowered the sum to VND20 million.
By Vu Quoc Ngu, Jan 30, 2016
Human rights activist and outspoken medical doctor Hoang Van Giang from Vietnam’s central province of Thanh Hoa has been in police custody since mid-October last year on the trumped-up allegation of possessing drug, local media has reported.
According to the independent SBTN newswire, Mr. Hoang Giang was arrested on October 14 and accused of illegal possession of drug. If found guilty, he could face long-term imprisonment as the country’s law imposes heavy punishment for the trade and possession of drugs.
A trusted source cited by SBTN said that on the day of his arrest, Dr. Giang worked in his private clinic. One of his regular clients invited him to a cafeteria and when they were inside the cafeteria with a third friend, police came to conduct administrative checks. They then found a certain amount of narcotic on his friend. Police immediately arrested the duo and placed them under investigation for drug possession.
Since then. Dr. Giang, who has promoted human rights and multi-party democracy in the country, has been in police custody. So far, the activist has rejected all allegations, claiming he has neither used nor possessed drug.
His family said the Thanh Hoa province’s police have come to threaten and persuade his relatives to tell him to admit that he had illegally possessed drug. Police have pledged that if he confesses wrongdoing, he will enjoy leniency with lighter punishment.
The family also said that the police asked VND100 million ($4,400) for his release. However, the offer was turned down. The family had refused even when the police lowered the sum to VND20 million.
Police have continued to meet the family in order to ask relatives to pressure him to confess, however, Dr. Giang reaffirmed that he is innocent and being framed in the case.
In recent years, many Vietnamese human rights activists have been arrested and imprisoned on the basis of trumped-up criminal charges of causing public disorders or committing tax evasion. The victims include land rights activist Bui Thi Minh Hang, human rights lawyer Le Quoc Quan and social activist Truong Minh Tam.
The communist party, which has ruled Vietnam for decades, has vowed to maintain the country under a one-party regime. Its government has used controverial articles in the Penal Code to silence local political dissidents, social activists and human rights defenders.
According to the New York-based Human Rights Watch, Vietnam is holding at least 130 political prisoners while Hanoi always denies imprisoning any but only law violators.
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January 30, 2016
Vietnamese Human Rights Activist Detained for Months on Trumped-Up Allegation of Drug Possession
by Nhan Quyen • [Human Rights], Hoang Van Giang (Thanh Hoa)
Dr. Hoang Van Giang, a human rights defender and pro-democracy activist in Thanh Hoa province
By Vu Quoc Ngu, Jan 30, 2016
Human rights activist and outspoken medical doctor Hoang Van Giang from Vietnam’s central province of Thanh Hoa has been in police custody since mid-October last year on the trumped-up allegation of possessing drug, local media has reported.
According to the independent SBTN newswire, Mr. Hoang Giang was arrested on October 14 and accused of illegal possession of drug. If found guilty, he could face long-term imprisonment as the country’s law imposes heavy punishment for the trade and possession of drugs.
A trusted source cited by SBTN said that on the day of his arrest, Dr. Giang worked in his private clinic. One of his regular clients invited him to a cafeteria and when they were inside the cafeteria with a third friend, police came to conduct administrative checks. They then found a certain amount of narcotic on his friend. Police immediately arrested the duo and placed them under investigation for drug possession.
Since then. Dr. Giang, who has promoted human rights and multi-party democracy in the country, has been in police custody. So far, the activist has rejected all allegations, claiming he has neither used nor possessed drug.
His family said the Thanh Hoa province’s police have come to threaten and persuade his relatives to tell him to admit that he had illegally possessed drug. Police have pledged that if he confesses wrongdoing, he will enjoy leniency with lighter punishment.
The family also said that the police asked VND100 million ($4,400) for his release. However, the offer was turned down. The family had refused even when the police lowered the sum to VND20 million.
Police have continued to meet the family in order to ask relatives to pressure him to confess, however, Dr. Giang reaffirmed that he is innocent and being framed in the case.
In recent years, many Vietnamese human rights activists have been arrested and imprisoned on the basis of trumped-up criminal charges of causing public disorders or committing tax evasion. The victims include land rights activist Bui Thi Minh Hang, human rights lawyer Le Quoc Quan and social activist Truong Minh Tam.
The communist party, which has ruled Vietnam for decades, has vowed to maintain the country under a one-party regime. Its government has used controverial articles in the Penal Code to silence local political dissidents, social activists and human rights defenders.
According to the New York-based Human Rights Watch, Vietnam is holding at least 130 political prisoners while Hanoi always denies imprisoning any but only law violators.