Nguyen Chi Vung
Nguyễn Chí Vững
Detainment Type: Sentenced to prison
Other Names: Nguyễn Chí Vững
Date of Birth: June 20, 1981
Gender: M
Ethnicity: Kinh
Occupation: Engineer
Activist Focus:
- Anti-corruption
- Democracy
- Environment
- Freedom of expression
- Human rights
- Sovereignty
- Press
Details
Immediate Concerns
November 2019:
Six activists were sentenced to a combined 25 years in prison on November 26 in three separate trials. Those activists are Pham Van Diep from Thanh Hoa Province, Nguyen Chi Vung from Bac Lieu Province, and a group of four from Dong Nai Province – Vo Thuong Trung, Doan Viet Hoan, Ngo Xuan Thanh, and Nguyen Dinh Khue. Among the six, Pham Van Diep and Nguyen Chi Vung received the heaviest sentences: nine years and six years, respectively. Both were accused of “making, storing, spreading information, materials, items for the purpose of opposing the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam,” under Article 117 of the 2015 Criminal Code.
BackgroundVung, born in 1981, is a telephone repairman in Dong Hai district, Bac Lieu province.
Profile photo source: Defend the Defenders
History of ActivismVung participated in peaceful demonstrations against the draft laws on Cybersecurity and Special Economic Zones on June 10, 2018. He was arrested during the protest, interrogated and beaten during his detention, and was released the next day.
In early September 2018, Vung went to Ho Chi Minh City to join the demonstration after an online appeal. He was arrested and detained by the city police for nine days.
On his personal Facebook page, Vung often share articles about human rights abuses, corruption, and sovereignty.
Sentenced to 6 years in prison and 2 years probation under Art. 117 (2015 Code). Expected Release is April 23, 2025.
April 23, 2019
- Art 117
Provincial/city
Private residence in Dong Hai district, Bac Lieu province (map)
November 26, 2019 - Date of trial
6 years in prison and 2 years probation
April 23, 2025
Details of Imprisonment
On April 23, 2019, the authorities in Bac Lieu province stormed into Nguyen Chi Vung’s private residence and arrested him at around 10:00 am. He will be detained for four months, according to his detention order, on the accusation of “conducting propaganda against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.” He was detained after participating in the national June 10, 2018 protests over two draft laws on Cybersecurity and Special Economic Zones, as well as being detained ahead of anticipated protests in September. From May to August 2018, Vung was said to use two Facebook accounts to join a closed group to discuss protest plans and hold livestream sessions to “share distorted information” and “encourage people to participate in protests during national holidays.” Vung, 38, often shares his concerns and views on the issues of human rights, corruption, and sovereignty.
November 2019:
At his trial, the public security forces of Bac Lieu province reportedly “proved” that Vung committed a long list of criminal acts, including: fabricating information in order to misrepresent and exaggerate problems and mistakes in the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam; propagating, defaming, attacking, distorting the Party’s guidelines and policies; and inciting the masses to oppose the people’s regime. The state’s mouthpiece also emphasized that Vung admitted his crime before the Court, while also asking for the mercy of the law to once again become a “productive” member of society.
Nguyen Chi Vung was sentenced to six years in jail, accused of “making, storing, spreading information, materials, items for the purpose of opposing the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam,” under Article 117 of the 2015 Criminal Code.
Resources“Chào mừng ngày giải phóng 30/4”, Hà Nội tiếp tục đàn áp tôn giáo và bắt giữ người dân trái luật, Tieng Dan, April 24, 2019
Two Activists Detained amid Intensified Security to Mark 44th Anniversary of Reunification, Defend the Defenders, April 24, 2019
Six Activists Sentenced to a Combined 25 Years in Prison in One Day Ahead of Vietnam Communist Party’s National Congress, The 88 Project, November 28, 2019
Vietnam Jails Six Bloggers, Activists in One-day Sweep Across the Country, Radio Free Asia, November 26, 2019
Profile last updated: 2024-06-13 20:34:05