Nguyen Hong Nguyen
Nguyễn Hồng Nguyên
Detainment Type: Released - at risk
Other Names: Nguyễn Hồng Nguyên, Bồ Công Anh (Facebook name)
Date of Birth: July 10, 1980
Gender: M
Ethnicity: Kinh
Occupation: Driver
Known Prison(s):
Xuan Loc prison, Dong Nai province (September 22, 2018 - September 22, 2020)
Activist Focus:
- Democracy
Details
Immediate Concerns
Nguyen was released from prison on September 22, 2020 after completing his two-year sentence.
BackgroundSince 2002, Nguyen Hong Nguyen settled down in Can Tho City, Vietnam after a long time living abroad. He worked as a driver and was the main breadwinner in his family.
History of ActivismNguyen used to live in Australia for many years, and he understood the values of freedom of speech, freedom of press and democracy. Therefore, on his Facebook, he usually shared and liked the articles on socio-political issues.
Family SituationHe has two young children and also supports his wife and elderly mother.
Sentenced to 2 years in prison under Art. 331 (2015 Code). Released September 22, 2020.
September 22, 2018 - Date of trial
None -- no legal representation
2 years in prison
September 22, 2020
September 22, 2020
Details of Imprisonment
Before being prosecuted, Nguyen was arrested at Cai Rang market on June 16, 2018 when he had just finished driving for a merchant there. Police then searched his house and confiscated his phone for investigation and released him.
On July 6, the Investigation Agency of Cai Rang District issued a prosecution order towards him with the accusation of “uploading information on a computer or telecommunications network against regulations of law” under Article 288 of the 2015 Penal Code.
On July 10, the People’s Procuracy of Cai Rang district approved the decision of prosecution against Mr. Nguyen. In addition to this, another order banning him from leaving his residence was also released to ensure his attendance at the first instance court hearing.
On September 22, they held a trial and sentenced him to two years in jail under Article 331 of the 2015 Penal Code for “abusing democratic freedoms to infringe upon the interests of the State, lawful rights and interests of organizations and/or citizens”. During the trial, Mr. Nguyen did not have a defense counsel.
According to the indictment, since 2017, Nguyen used a Facebook account, namely Nguyên Hồng Nguyễn, to read articles and watch videos, as well as pictures, with anti-state content. Mr. Nguyen posted and shared many articles on Facebook which defamed leaders and authorities.
November 2018:
On November 22, the People’s Court of Can Tho City held an appeal trial against Nguyen Hong Nguyen. His sentence was upheld on appeal.
January 2019:
The authorities told Nguyen Hong Nguyen's family that he was transferred to prison Z30D, Ham Tan, Binh Thuan Province, but in fact he was transferred to Xuan Loc prison in Dong Nai Province. Nguyen's family had been struggling since his June 2018 arrest, as he was the primary breadwinner.
ResourcesPhiên tòa ngày thứ Bảy và bản án hai năm tù cho Facebooker Nguyễn Hồng Nguyên, Tiếng Dân Newspaper, September 22, 2018
Buồn gia đình lên mạng viết bài bôi nhọ Đảng, Nhà nước, Công An Newspaper, September 22, 2018
Two Facebookers Jailed for Allegation of Abusing Democratic Freedom, Defend the Defenders, September 23, 2018
Profile last updated: 2024-06-13 20:34:04