Hanoi imprisons five state and party officials, along with kidnapped blogger alleged to have received information from them

On October 30, Duong Van Thai, a prominent Vietnamese blogger, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for ‘making, possessing, storing, or spreading information, materials, or items for the purpose of opposing the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam’. The case against Thai has garnered international attention because he is credibly believed to have been kidnapped in broad daylight just north of Bangkok on April 13, 2023, before being forcibly returned to Vietnam where he was put on trial.

Thai wrote articles and produced videos exposing the corruption of Vietnamese officials. In some of his most viewed YouTube videos, Thai accused government officials of participating in corruption schemes, money laundering rings, and oppressing the Vietnamese people. He relied on an extensive network of sources, including state officials, to expose information about Vietnam’s leaders and policies.

Due to the involvement of state officials, Hanoi has provided few details about the case. The government has not made public the criminal investigation report, the indictment, or the verdict. Nor have they provided details about what Thai or his accomplices allegedly did or why they were put on trial behind closed doors.

Project88 has obtained a copy of the court decision against Thai from a reliable source. The document reveals that seven people, five of whom were state or party officials, were also sentenced to prison, and at least 60 people were criminally investigated as part of the case. Project88 is publishing the document and a summary of it so that the public can learn more about the criminal prosecution of Thai and those who allegedly helped him.

Why did Duong Van Thai leave Vietnam?

Due to fears of political persecution, Thai left Vietnam in 2019 and moved to Bangkok. On April 13, 2023, it is believed that Thai was kidnapped by Vietnamese state agents and taken to Vietnam. In July 2024, it was reported that Thai was charged under Article 117 of the criminal code for ‘making, possessing, storing, or spreading information, materials, or items for the purpose of opposing the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam’. Thai was living in Thailand as a refugee while he was awaiting relocation to a third country. In fact, just one day before his abduction, he visited the Bangkok office of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees to discuss resettlement options, according to media reports.

On April 16, 2023, the Vietnamese government announced that it had arrested Duong Van Thai. The government claimed that Thai was arrested as he attempted to illegally reenter Vietnam. People who knew Thai, however, have refuted this account, arguing that he was abducted by state agents and forcibly returned to Vietnam. For the next 11 months, Thai was held incommunicado in pre-trial detention. On March 31, 2024, after nearly a year in custody, he was finally granted permission to see his family.

This is not the first case of an extrajudicial return of a Vietnamese dissident from Thailand. In 2019, while journalist Truong Duy Nhat was seeking political asylum in Thailand, he was abducted by Vietnamese agents and brought to Vietnam, where he was sentenced to ten years in prison.

What was Duong Van Thai accused of?

Duong Van Thai, along with the other seven people prosecuted in the case, were convicted under Article 117 of Vietnam’s criminal code. Article 117 prohibits ‘making, possessing, storing, or spreading information, materials, or items for the purpose of opposing the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam’. Article 117 is one of the most common charges used in Vietnam to prosecute activists—rights groups have long condemned its use as a tool to silence political speech and dissent.

According to the judgment, Duong Van Thai began writing about Vietnamese politics in 2018, and, in doing so, ‘defamed the reputation and honor of the Party and State leaders’ (p.6). After he was summoned by the police for questioning in February 2019, Thai fled to Thailand. While living in Bangkok, he created two YouTube accounts, Thai Van Duong and Thai Dong Anh, that he used to post critiques of the government. He also created and managed the Facebook group Thai and Friends and the Telegram group Duong Van Thai Channel, where he shared videos and articles.

In its criminal investigation, the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) evaluated 35 videos and two articles on Thai’s YouTube channels and concluded that they ‘contained distorted, fabricated, and defamed the people’s government, caused dismay among the people, and offended the honor and reputation of leaders of the Party, State, and authorities at all levels’ (p.7).

According to the court document, the 35 videos and two articles at issue in the case criticized corruption and bribery by top officials in Vietnam and disseminated confidential information about the country’s economic, political, and social situation. According to the court document, the Security Investigation Agency concluded that Duong Van Thai’s purpose in posting the videos was to ‘oppose the Socialist Republic of Vietnam’ (p.12). The videos include:

Videos about how then-General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made decisions about top state leadership positions.
Videos about the corruption of then Minister of Public Security To Lam, who is now General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam.
Videos about the fraud of Viet A Company. The company is affiliated with former Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and was found to be involved in a corruption scandal in which people were forced to buy that company’s Covid test kits.
Videos questioning the government’s collusion with SCB bank to steal customers’ money.
A video commentary on the National Assembly’s announcement that Vietnam’s treasury is empty.
A video sharing Thai’s analysis on the revised Land Law that predicted that the law would lead to more oppression.
A video on the background of former president Vo Van Thuong.
A video that shared rumors that certain CEOs of large corporations in Vietnam were banned from entering and leaving the country.
A video alleging the Communist Party of Vietnam of engaging in religious discrimination.
A video claiming that many party members have become reactionaries.
A video accusing the leader of Bac Giang province of bribing authorities to avoid a fine of 8 million USD.

According to data from the MPS’s Security Investigation Agency, videos that Thai posted on his YouTube channels, including the ones above, attracted over 50 million views.

Please read Appendix A for more details about these videos.

Who besides Thai was sentenced to prison in this case?

Seven others were also sentenced to prison in this case. The Security Investigation Agency concluded that the contents of the articles and videos posted by Thai were provided to him by a number of people, including state and party officials. Below is a list of Thai’s seven alleged accomplices and the activities they engaged in, according to the judgment:

Nguyen Van Van

Nguyen Van Van is the former Chairman of the Board of Directors of Gia Nguyen Group Joint Stock Company and a former member of the Communist Party of Vietnam, though he was suspended from party activities on June 12, 2024. On April 19, 2023, Van was charged under Article 117 and was later sentenced to five and a half years in prison.

Around the end of 2021, Nguyen Van Van started following Thai’s YouTube channels and reached out to Thai over Facebook and Telegram. Van was accused of sending confidential information about Vietnam’s economic and political situation to Thai, which he included in 11 of his videos. Van also instructed Thai on how to write articles and edit video clips in a way that would attract more viewers and taught Thai how set up a cryptocurrency wallet so that people could anonymously send him money. According to Vietnamese authorities, Van also told a friend that he intended to help Thai buy a verified Facebook account to post videos without risk of his account being hacked.

Truong Cong Dai

Truong Cong Dai is the former head of environmental protection for the Department of Natural Resources and Environment in Bac Giang province and a former member of the Communist Party of Vietnam. He was expelled from the party on June 6, 2023 and dismissed from his job on June 29, 2023. Dai was charged on April 19, 2023 under Article 117 and sentenced to four and a half years’ imprisonment.

In October 2022, Truong Cong Dai learned about and started following Thai’s YouTube channels. According to the investigation, Dai was dissatisfied with his job and the government. Because of this, around January 2023, Dai contacted Thai over Twitter and Viber. With the information he had obtained through his work and social relationships, Dai provided information to Thai, which Thai then used to produce three videos. In addition, Dai sent Thai 8,000,000 VND ($315 USD).

Nguyen Thiet Hung

Nguyen Thiet Hung is a self-employed engineer. On April 19, 2023, he was charged under Article 117 and sentenced to four years in prison.

Around the end of 2022, Nguyen Thiet Hung started following Thai’s Facebook page and YouTube channels. He also joined Thai’s Telegram group. Hung then used Telegram and Viber to contact Thai and provide documents and information that Thai used in three videos. In addition, Hung registered five Facebook accounts in his name and gave Thai access to them. Hung shared Thai’s articles, encouraged his friends and acquaintances to follow Thai’s YouTube channels, and sent Thai 1,200,000 VND ($50 USD).

Nguyen Thanh Tung

Nguyen Thanh Tung is a former member of the Communist Party of Vietnam who was suspended from party activities on May 11, 2023. Like the others, Tung was detained on April 19, 2023, and charged with violating Article 117. He was sentenced to three and a half years in prison.

In January 2023, Tung started following Thai’s YouTube channels and Facebook page. In February, Tung contacted Thai over Telegram and provided information to him. According to the Ministry of Information and Communications, Thai then used this information in two videos and two articles.

Bui Thi Khanh Phuong

Bui Thi Khanh Phuong is a former member of the Communist Party of Vietnam who was expelled from the party on July 7, 2023. She was arrested on April 19, 2023, and sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment under Article 117.

In the end of 2022, Khanh Phuong began following Thai’s Facebook page and YouTube channels. Khanh Phuong contacted Thai over Facebook and Viber and provided him with insider information. According to the Ministry of Information and Communications, two of Thai’s videos were made using information provided by her. In addition to providing this information, she instructed Thai to report more on the private lives of party and state leaders in order to attract more viewers.

Tran Quoc Khanh

Tran Quoc Khanh is the former General Director of G7 International Investment Consulting Joint Stock Company. He was arrested on April 19, 2023 and sentenced to 30 months in prison under Article 117.

Around December 2022, Tran Quoc Khanh started following Thai’s YouTube channels. In February 2023, Khanh contacted Thai over WhatsApp and provided him with information. When watching Thai’s videos, Khanh saw that Thai incorrectly quoted regulations in legal documents and resolutions, so he collected legal documents from the official websites of the Government, National Assembly, Government Inspectorate, and Central Inspection Committee, which he provided to Thai. According to the Ministry of Information and Communications, Thai used this information in one video. In addition, Khanh helped Thai polish his speaking, and, on occasion, helped write video scripts.

Vu Tuan Anh

Vu Tuan Anh is the former Head of the Organization and Inspection Department for the Bac Giang Provincial Youth Union. Tuan Anh was forced to quit on December 25, 2023. He was also a member of the Communist Party of Vietnam but was suspended from party activities on July 5, 2023. Tuan Anh was arrested on June 28, 2023, and sentenced to 30 months in prison under Article 117.

Around the end of 2022, Tuan Anh started following Thai’s YouTube channels and Facebook page. In February 2023, Tuan Anh used Viber to contact Thai and provided him with information. According to the Ministry of Information and Communications, he provided information that informed one of Thai’s videos.

In addition, the judgment also listed the names and information of at least 60 people who were summoned by the Security Investigation Agency for their involvement with the defendant and his accomplices but were not charged with a crime. See Appendix B for more details about these 60 individuals.

Why was the Duong Van Thai case tried behind closed doors?

Thai’s case is embarrassing for the Vietnamese government. Aside from Duong Van Thai, all of those convicted were either current or former state officials who were dissatisfied with the regime and knew firsthand about the corruption, abuse of power, and bribery that runs rampant in Vietnam. Revealing details of this case would reflect poorly on the Vietnamese government during an ongoing anti-corruption campaign. Finally, in Vietnam, closed door trials are normal for political charges.

Appendix A: List of 35 videos and two articles that led to Duong Van Thai being prosecuted.

No.	Name in Vietnamese	Name in English	Details	Source	Court assessment
1.	Căn cước Bộ anh Tô thua đứa trẻ lên ba. The video was reposted here.	Mr. To’s Ministry of Public Security identity card is less than that of a three-year-old child.	Published on March 5, 2023, 107,387 views, 2,100 likes.	Compiled from many different sources.	The video ‘contains distorted information about the people’s government; fabricated information to cause dismay among the people’.
2.	Công ty Việt Á lừa đảo 4000 tỷ được BCT chống lưng. The video was reposted here.	Viet A Company defrauded 4,000 billion VND and was backed by the Politburo.	Published on Dec. 20, 2021, 671 views, 47 likes.	Nguyen Van Van	The video ‘contains distorted information about the people’s government; fabricated information to cause dismay among the people’.
3.	Khi conn hoangg làm Chủ tiệm nnước trả lời sáo rỗng [sic]. The video was reposted here.	When a bastard president gives a hollow answer.	Published on March 4, 2023, 82,994 views, 1,800 likes.	Compiled from many different sources.	The video ‘contains distorted information about the people’s government; fabricated information to cause dismay among the people’.
4.	Lộ diện cầm đầu nhóm Chị em rửaa tiền Tỷ đô lo cho Nguyễn Xuân Phúc – Phần 1 [sic]	The sisters in charge of a billion-dollar laundering operation that takes care of Nguyen Xuan Phuc – Part 1.	Published on Feb. 21, 2023, 119,054 views, 2,500 likes.	Nguyen Van Van	The video ‘contains distorted information about the people’s government; fabricated information to cause dismay among the people’.
5.	Lộ đường dây chạy án Đỗ Hữu Ca liên đới một thứ trưởng BCA The video was reposted here.	Exposing the Do Huu Ca corruption ring involving a deputy minister of public security.	Published on March 8, 2023, 136,291 views, 2,300 likes.	Nguyen Van Van	The video ‘contains distorted information about the people’s government; fabricated information to cause dismay among the people’.
6.	Lộ tẩy chính quyền bắt tay SCB chiếm đoạt tiền của khách hàng The video was reposted here.	Exposing government collusion with SCB to embezzle customers’ money.	Published on Feb. 4, 2023, 48,880 views, 1,600 likes.	Compiled from many different sources.	The video ‘contains distorted information about the people’s government; fabricated information to cause dismay among the people’.
7.	Ngân hàng VietBank nguy cơ mất thanh khoản và Ai sẽ làm Phó Thủ tướng	VietBank is at risk of losing liquidity. Who will be the Deputy Prime Minister?	Published on Dec. 27, 2022, 63,000 views, 1,200 likes.	Nguyen Van Van	The video ‘contains distorted information about the people’s government; fabricated information to cause dismay among the people’.
8.	Nhân sự Khoá XIII – BCT phe miền trung áp đảo The video was reposted here.	Personnel of the Politburo’s 13th term – the central region faction dominates.	Published on Feb. 25, 2023, 46,448 views, 1,100 likes.	Compiled from many different sources.	The video ‘contains distorted information about the people’s government; fabricated information to cause dismay among the people’.
9.	Quốc hội chính thức thông báo Ngân khố rỗng tuếch The video was reposted here.	The National Assembly officially announces an empty treasury.	Published on Nov. 1, 2021, 501 views, 30 likes.	Compiled from many different sources.	The video ‘contains distorted information about the people’s government; fabricated information to cause dismay among the people’.
10.	Quốc hội đang sốt sắng sửa đổi Luật Đất đai thì dân bị đàn áp nhiều hơn The video was reposted here.	While the National Assembly eagerly amends the Land Law, people are more oppressed.	Published on Feb. 22, 2023, 52,440 views, 1,500 likes.	Compiled from many different sources.	The video ‘contains distorted information about the people’s government; fabricated information to cause dismay among the people’.
11.	Rò rỉ tin ông Tư Sang sắp xếp ai làm Thủ tướng tới đây The video was reposted here.	There is leaked news about whom Tu Sang will arrange to be the next Prime Minister.	Published on Feb. 23, 2023, 114,582 views, 2,400 likes.	Compiled from many different sources.	The video ‘contains distorted information about the people’s government; fabricated information to cause dismay among the people’.
12.	Tại sao BCA chưa bắt bà Nguyệt Thu cùng Vũ Thế Phiệt và Hùng rể The video was reposted here.	Why hasn’t the Ministry of Public Security arrested Nguyet Thu, Vu The Phiet and her son-in-law Hung?	Published on March 2, 2023,148,045 views, 2,400 likes.	Nguyen Van Van	The video ‘contains distorted information about the people’s government; fabricated information to cause dismay among the people’.
13.	Tân Chủ tịch nước là con ai	Who is the new President’s father?	Published on March 1, 2023, 80,158 views, 1,800 likes.	Nguyen Van Van	The video ‘contains distorted information about the people’s government; fabricated information to cause dismay among the people’.
14.	Thông tin ông Phạm Nhật Vượng bị hoãn xuất cảnh	Regarding the information that Pham Nhat Vuong is on the travel ban list.	Published on Oct. 29, 2022, 52,637 views, 1,600 likes.	Compiled from many different sources.	The video ‘contains distorted information about the people’s government; fabricated information to cause dismay among the people’.
15.	Tin đồn về Novaland bị hoãn xuất cảnh	Rumors about Novaland’s director being put on a travel ban list.	Published on Oct. 11, 2022, 27,844 views, 1,000 likes.	Compiled from many different sources.	The video ‘contains distorted information about the people’s government; fabricated information to cause dismay among the people’.
16.	Tổng Trọng nâng đỡ Trưởng Ban vào ghế Tứ trụ khoá tới The video was reposted here.	General Secretary Trong supports the Head of the Committee to the position of the Four Pillars of the next term.	Published on Jan. 25, 2022, 1,405 views, 47 likes.	Compiled from many different sources.	The video ‘contains distorted information about the people’s government; fabricated information to cause dismay among the people’.
17.	Trái chủ của SCB đồng loạt cả nước xuống đường biểu tình	SCB bank bondholders nationwide took to the streets to protest.	Published on Dec. 3, 2022, 7,500 views, 460 likes.	Compiled from many different sources.	The video ‘contains distorted information about the people’s government; fabricated information to cause dismay among the people’.
18.	Cạn lời khi đảng thất sủng ông Phúc The video was reposted here.	Speechless as the party loses favor with Mr. Phuc.	Published on Feb. 6, 2023, 40,727 views, 1,600 likes.	Compiled from many different sources.	The video ‘contains distorted information about the people’s government; fabricated information to cause dismay among the people’.
19.	Chính phủ họp Nhóm lợi ích để lùa gà	Government leaders meet interest groups to fool people.	Published on Feb. 12, 2023, 37,769 views, 1,400 likes.	Nguyen Thiet Hung	The video ‘contains distorted information about the people’s government; fabricated information to cause dismay among the people’.
20.	Đảng cộng sản phân biệt đối xử giữa các nhóm tôn giáo	The Communist Party discriminates between religious groups.	Published on Feb. 21, 2022, 3,285 views, 167 likes.	Compiled from many different sources.	The video ‘contains distorted information about the people’s government; fabricated information to cause dismay among the people’.
21.	92 năm đảng cầm quyền đô hộ người dân Việt Nam ngay trên quê hương	92 years of the ruling party colonizing Vietnamese people in their homeland.	Published on Feb. 3, 2022, 9,800 views, 424 likes.	Compiled from many different sources.	The video ‘contains information to cause psychological warfare, distorted information about the people’s government; fabricated information to cause dismay among the people’.
22.	Đảng viên tự chuyển hoá thành phản động nhiều quá The video was reposted here.	Too many party members have transformed themselves into reactionaries.	Published on Feb. 8, 2023, 61,653 views, 2,200 likes.	Compiled from many different sources.	The video ‘contains information to cause psychological warfare, distorted information about the people’s government; fabricated information to cause dismay among the people’.
23.	Lãnh đạo tỉnh Bắc Giang chạy án 8 triệu đô, lệnh Văn bản MẬT The video was reposted here.	Bac Giang province leaders ran a court case for 8 million dollars, SECRET document.	Published on March 16, 2023, 52,102 views, 1,300 likes.	Nguyen Thiet Hung	The video ‘contains distorted information about the people’s government; fabricated information to cause dismay among the people’.
24.	Nóng- Lãnh đạo tỉnh BG bỏ công sở để đi chùa cầu an trước ngày xộ khám The video was reposted here.	Hot news – Bac Giang province leaders left office to go to pagoda praying for safety before being imprisoned.	Published on Feb. 22, 2023, 66,971 views, 1,500 likes.	Truong Cong Dai	The video ‘contains distorted information about the people’s government; fabricated information to cause dismay among the people’.
25.	Bí thư Bắc Giang chi trăm triệu đãi tiệc thịt chó tại nhà hàng có Chủ tịch Quốc hội là khách ruột	Bac Giang Party Secretary spent hundreds of millions to host a dog meat party at a restaurant where the National Assembly Chairman is a regular customer.	Published on Feb. 13, 2023, 346,453 views, 4,000 likes.	Truong Cong Dai	The video ‘contains distorted information about the people’s government; fabricated information to cause dismay among the people’.
26.	Đinh Văn Nơi và chàng rể của ông Phúc The video was reposted here.	Dinh Van Noi and Mr. Phuc’s son-in-law.	Published on Feb. 15, 2023, 346,453 views, 4,000 likes.	Nguyen Van Van	The video ‘contains distorted information about the people’s government; fabricated information to cause dismay among the people’.
27.	Con trai ông Phúc và chuyện tình ở B.C.A The video was reposted here.	Mr. Phuc’s son and the love story at the Ministry of Public Security.	Published on Feb. 3, 2023, 200,766 views, 3,400 likes.	Nguyen Van Van & Bui Thi Khanh Phuong	The video ‘contains distorted information about the people’s government; fabricated information to cause dismay among the people’.
28.	Tin chấn động đầu năm – BCA bắt số lượng lớn công an ở Hải Dương The video was reposted here.	Shocking news at the beginning of the year – Ministry of Public Security arrests a large number of police officers in Hai Duong province.	Published on Feb. 8, 2023, 168,872 views, 3,100 likes.	Nguyen Van Van	The video ‘contains distorted information about the people’s government; fabricated information to cause dismay among the people’.
29.	Những mảnh tình trường của ngài Chủ tịch The video was reposted here.	The President’s love affairs.	Published on Feb. 1, 2023, 91,398 views, 2,700 likes.	Bui Thi Khanh Phuong	The video ‘contains distorted information about the people’s government; fabricated information to cause dismay among the people’.
30.	Bộ chưởng Y tế đang ở đâu	Where is the Minister of Health?	Published on March 3, 2023, 49,960 views, 1,900 likes.	Nguyen Thanh Tung	The video ‘contains distorted information about the people’s government; fabricated information to cause dismay among the people’.
31.	Đông Anh có tân Chủ tịch, Home Credit và F88 phong toả còn FE đến khi nào The video was reposted here.	Dong Anh district has a new President, Home Credit and F88 are blocked, but when will FE be?	Published on March 28, 2023, 77,167 views, 1,800 thousand likes.	Nguyen Thanh Tung	The video ‘contains distorted information about the people’s government; fabricated information to cause dismay among the people’.
32.	Nhóm lợi ích dự án Bất động sản Bắc Giang chia cho lãnh đạo như thế nào	How does the Bac Giang Real Estate project interest group bribe the leaders?	Published on March 9, 2023, 27,679 views, 1,000 likes.	Tran Quoc Khanh	The video ‘contains distorted information about the people’s government; fabricated information to cause dismay among the people’.
33.	BCA triệu tập Chủ tịch tập đoàn, Bắc Giang cả họ làm quan	Ministry of Public Security summoned the Chairman of a group, a whole family became officials in Bac Giang province.	Published on Feb. 13, 2023, 79,033 views, 2,800 likes.	Nguyen Van Van, Truong Cong Da, and Vu Tuan Anh	The video ‘contains distorted information about the people’s government; fabricated information to cause dismay among the people’.
34.	Tin chấn động, một Ngân hàng bị úp sọt vì Thao túng Chứng khoán The video was reposted here.	Shocking news, a Bank was caught for Stock Manipulation.	Published on Feb. 10, 2023, 88,538 views, 2,600 likes.	Nguyen Thiet Hung	The video ‘contains distorted information about the people’s government; fabricated information to cause dismay among the people’.
35.	Bắt hàng loạt lãnh đạo C.A Hà Nội The video was reposted here.	Arrest of many leaders of Hanoi City Police.	Published on Feb. 16, 2023, 311,157 views, 2,900 likes.	Nguyen Van Van	The video ‘contains distorted information about the people’s government; fabricated information to cause dismay among the people’.
36.	Đào Hồng Lan- Bộ chưởng	Dao Hong Lan – the Minister.	Published on the channel Thai Van Duong	Nguyen Thanh Tung	The article ‘contains fabricated information to cause dismay among the people’.
37.	Chít bỏ mẹ, nhà ngài Bộ trưởng Tô đẹp thế, đúng căn góc ngõ cụt nước sông nước máng thế này dân sống sao nổi	Damn, Minister To’s house is so beautiful, right at the corner of a dead-end street with river and gutter water like this, how can people live?	Published on the channel Thai Van Duong	Nguyen Thanh Tung	The article ‘contains fabricated information to cause dismay among the people’.

Appendix B: Other individuals involved in the Duong Van Thai case

No.	Name	Reasons of being summoned/prosecuted
1.	Le Phuoc Tho	The judgment does not specify this person’s relation to the case.
2.	Pham Tri Nam	The judgment does not specify this person’s relation to the case.
3.	Nguyen Van Thanh	The judgment does not specify this person’s relation to the case.
4.	Doan Huy Chuong	Doan Huy Chuong helped Duong Van Thai leave Vietnam.
5.	Phan Dinh Sang	Phan Dinh Sang was accused of leaking information and documents to Thai. While not mentioned in the court decision, on March 11, 2024, the Security Investigation Agency of Ha Tinh Provincial Police prosecuted Phan Dinh Sang under Article 117, and he was sentenced to six years in prison.
6.	Nguyen Thi Hong Hanh	Hanh transferred 23,000,000 VND ($900 USD) to Thai. Hanh stated that the transfer was to remove articles and videos about Sunshine Group and its Chairman, Do Anh Tuan. Hanh stated that Thai requested Sunshine Group to transfer the money before removing the article. However, Thai stated that Hanh initiated the money transfer, saying he did not request it.
7.	Luyen Thanh Sang	This person gave information to Thai, but he did not end up using it in his articles or videos. For this reason, this person was not charged with a crime.
8.	Pham Canh Hung	This person gave information to Thai, but he did not end up using it in his articles or videos. For this reason, this person was not charged with a crime.
9.	Le Hoang Minh Triet	This person gave information to Thai, but he did not end up using it in his articles or videos. For this reason, this person was not charged with a crime.
10.	Nguyen Ngoc Nhuan	This person gave information to Thai, but he did not end up using it in his articles or videos. For this reason, this person was not charged with a crime.
11.	Tran Ngoc Quang	This person gave information to Thai, but he did not end up using it in his articles or videos. For this reason, this person was not charged with a crime.
12.	Nguyen Khanh Khang	This person gave information to Thai, but he did not end up using it in his articles or videos. For this reason, this person was not charged with a crime.
13.	Le Duc Anh	This person gave information to Thai, but he did not end up using it in his articles or videos. For this reason, this person was not charged with a crime.
14.	Nguyen The Phuong	This person gave information to Thai, but he did not end up using it in his articles or videos. For this reason, this person was not charged with a crime.
15.	Le Anh Dung	This person gave information to Thai, but he did not end up using it in his articles or videos. For this reason, this person was not charged with a crime.
16.	Nguyen Van Dan	This person gave information to Thai, but he did not end up using it in his articles or videos. For this reason, this person was not charged with a crime.
17.	Le Thi Thanh Hien	This person gave information to Thai, but he did not end up using it in his articles or videos. For this reason, this person was not charged with a crime.
18.	Hoang Tai	This person gave information to Thai, but he did not end up using it in his articles or videos. For this reason, this person was not charged with a crime.
19.	Tran Ngoc Phuoc	This person gave information to Thai, but he did not end up using it in his articles or videos. For this reason, this person was not charged with a crime.
20.	Dang Huu Hoang	This person gave information to Thai, but he did not end up using it in his articles or videos. For this reason, this person was not charged with a crime.
21.	Le Tat Thang	This person gave information to Thai, but he did not end up using it in his articles or videos. For this reason, this person was not charged with a crime.
22.	Nguyen Thi Sang	This person gave information to Thai, but he did not end up using it in his articles or videos. For this reason, this person was not charged with a crime.
23.	Nguyen Chi Dao	This person gave information to Thai, but he did not end up using it in his articles or videos. For this reason, this person was not charged with a crime.
24.	Pham Tuan Nam	This person gave information to Thai, but he did not end up using it in his articles or videos. For this reason, this person was not charged with a crime.
25.	Nguyen Dinh Quoc Khang	This person gave information to Thai, but he did not end up using it in his articles or videos. For this reason, this person was not charged with a crime.
26.	Quang Tuyet My	This person gave information to Thai, but he did not end up using it in his articles or videos. For this reason, this person was not charged with a crime.
27.	Dong Minh Tuan	This person gave information to Thai, but he did not end up using it in his articles or videos. For this reason, this person was not charged with a crime.
28.	Nguyen Viet Sin	This person gave information to Thai, but he did not end up using it in his articles or videos. For this reason, this person was not charged with a crime.
29.	Cao Quang Liem	This person gave information to Thai, but he did not end up using it in his articles or videos. For this reason, this person was not charged with a crime.
30.	Nguyen Chinh Tam	This person gave information to Thai, but he did not end up using it in his articles or videos. For this reason, this person was not charged with a crime.
31.	Lam Bich Ha	This person gave information to Thai, but he did not end up using it in his articles or videos. For this reason, this person was not charged with a crime.
32.	Nguyen Trong Chien	This person gave information to Thai, but he did not end up using it in his articles or videos. For this reason, this person was not charged with a crime.
33.	Do Thanh Binh	This person gave information to Thai, but he did not end up using it in his articles or videos. For this reason, this person was not charged with a crime.
34.	Hoang Hai Dang	This person gave information to Thai, but he did not end up using it in his articles or videos. For this reason, this person was not charged with a crime.
35.	Le Thanh Hai Tu	This person gave information to Thai, but he did not end up using it in his articles or videos. For this reason, this person was not charged with a crime.
36.	Nguyen Vinh Khoa	This person gave information to Thai, but he did not end up using it in his articles or videos. For this reason, this person was not charged with a crime.
37.	Vu Ngoc Long	This person gave information to Thai, but he did not end up using it in his articles or videos. For this reason, this person was not charged with a crime.
38.	Dinh Thi Bich Chau	This person gave information to Thai, but he did not end up using it in his articles or videos. For this reason, this person was not charged with a crime.
39.	Ho Nhu Ngoc	This person gave information to Thai, but he did not end up using it in his articles or videos. For this reason, this person was not charged with a crime.
40.	Tong Tuan Anh	This person gave information to Thai, but he did not end up using it in his articles or videos. For this reason, this person was not charged with a crime.
41.	Nguyen Ngoc Hung	This person gave information to Thai, but he did not end up using it in his articles or videos. For this reason, this person was not charged with a crime.
42.	Truong Thi Quy Minh	This person gave information to Thai, but he did not end up using it in his articles or videos. For this reason, this person was not charged with a crime.
43.	Vu Tien Nga	This person gave information to Thai, but he did not end up using it in his articles or videos. For this reason, this person was not charged with a crime.
44.	Nguyen Thanh Tung	This person gave information to Thai, but he did not end up using it in his articles or videos. For this reason, this person was not charged with a crime.
45.	Pham Thanh Dong	This person gave information to Thai, but he did not end up using it in his articles or videos. For this reason, this person was not charged with a crime.
46.	Tran Ngoc Thach	This person gave information to Thai, but he did not end up using it in his articles or videos. For this reason, this person was not charged with a crime.
47.	Truong Dinh Hieu	This person gave information to Thai, but he did not end up using it in his articles or videos. For this reason, this person was not charged with a crime.
48.	Ha Minh Tri	This person gave information to Thai, but he did not end up using it in his articles or videos. For this reason, this person was not charged with a crime.
49.	Pham Thi Nguyen Hanh	Pham Thi Nguyen Hanh exchanged information with Nguyen Van Van about the position of Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee but did not know that Van would send this information to Thai. It was not a state secret, so Hanh was not held criminally responsible.
50.	Chu Thi Thuy	Thuy discussed rumors with Nguyen Van Van about Ministry of Public Security leaders but did not know that Van would send this information to Thai. It was not a state secret, so Thuy was not held criminally responsible.
51.	Nguyen Huy Hung	Hung is a friend of Nguyen Van Van. He provided Van with a governmental internal document via Zalo but did not know that Van would send it to Thai. It was not a state secret, so Hung was not held criminally responsible.
52.	Nguyen Minh Trang	Trang is the staff of the Bac Giang provincial guest house who provided information to Truong Cong Dai but did not know that Van would send it to Thai. It was not a state secret, so Trang was not held criminally responsible.
53.	Duong Thi Phuong Thao	Thao is the head nurse of the Pediatrics Department at Viet Duc Hospital who sent information to Nguyen Thanh Tung. She did not know that Tung planned to send it to Thai. It was not a state secret, so Thao was not criminally responsible.
54.	Tran The Tho	Tho is the former head of the Inspection Planning Department of the Government Inspectorate who provided information to Nguyen Thanh Tung. He did not know that Tung planned to send it to Thai. It was not a state secret, so he was not held criminally responsible.
55.	Tran Thi Thu Huyen	Huyen provided information to Bui Thi Khanh Phuong but did not know that Phuong planned to send it to Thai. It was not a state secret, so she was not held criminally responsible.
56.	Vo Khanh Hung	Hung is the director of Htc Company Limited who provided information to Tran Quoc Khanh. He did not know that Khanh planned to send it to Thai. It was not a state secret, so Hung was not held criminally responsible.
57.	Nguyen Minh Thai	Minh Thai is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of An Binh Investment and Trading Joint Stock Company, who provided information to Tran Quoc Khanh. He did not know that Khanh planned to send it to Thai. It was not a state secret, so Minh Thai was not held criminally responsible.
58.	Nguyen Cong Oanh	Oanh provided information to Nguyen Thiet Hung but did not know that Hung planned to send it to Thai. It was not a state secret, so Oanh was not held criminally responsible.
59.	Nguyen Trong Bach	Bach pretended to be Duong Van Thai to help Thai renew his passport at the Vietnamese Embassy in South Korea. Bach was not present in Vietnam, so the government did not charge him.
60.	Nguyen Thi Sen	Sen is the First Secretary of the Vietnamese Embassy in South Korea. She mistakenly approved the passport application of Nguyen Trong Bach, who was pretending to be Duong Van Thai. Because Sen did not act with intention, she was disciplined but not held criminally responsible.
61.	Le Thi Le Thu	Thu, the First Secretary and head of the Consular Section, mistakenly approved the passport application for Nguyen Trong Bach, who was pretending to be Duong Van Thai. Because Thu did not act with intention, she was disciplined but not held criminally responsible.