Nguyen Van Nghiem
Nguyễn Văn Nghiêm
Detainment Type: Sentenced to prison
Other Names: Nguyễn Văn Nghiêm, Nghiêm Nguyễn, Giáo sư hớt tóc (Facebook nickname)
Date of Birth: October 25, 1963
Gender: M
Ethnicity: Kinh
Occupation: Service industry
Activist Focus:
- Anti-corruption
- Environment
- Human rights
- Sovereignty
Details
Immediate Concerns
On June 23, the People’s Court of Hoa Binh Province tried hairdresser and online commentator Nguyen Van Nghiem on the charge of Article 117 of the 2015 Criminal Code and sentenced him to six years in prison. Only his wife was allowed to attend the trial. There are concerns that Nghien was pressured to deny legal representation, as he appeared in court without a lawyer even though he had previously asked for one.
BackgroundNghiem is from Y Yen District, Nam Dinh Province. He lived in Hoa Binh province prior to arrest.
Profile photo source: Facebook Nghiêm Nguyễn
History of ActivismNghiem is known as an active Facebooker with the nickname of “Giao su hot toc,” and he usually shares his views on national issues, such as corruption, environmental pollution, human rights violations, and China’s alleged illegal activities in the East Sea (South China Sea). Besides posting about the government’s failure to deal with those issues, Nghiem also has criticized many senior state officials such as the party’s General Secretary-- President Nguyen Phu Trong-- as well as Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.
He also posts many videos on his Youtube channel and has attracted many views. One day before the arrest, he released three videos on the issues of China’s alleged aggression in Vanguard Bank, a special economic zone of Vietnam, and the ongoing anti-corruption campaign. All videos were deleted from his Facebook and Youtube after his arrest.
Sentenced to 6 years in prison under Art. 117 (2015 Code). Expected Release is November 5, 2025.
November 5, 2019
- Art 117
Provincial/city
Phuong Lam District, Hoa Binh City, Hoa Binh Province (map)
June 23, 2020 - Date of trial
Ha Huy Son
6 years in prison
November 5, 2025
Details of Imprisonment
Nghiem was arrested on the morning of November 5, 2019, while live-streaming to talk about nationals issues at home in Hoa Binh Province. His wife, Pham Thi Xuan, revealed that one security officer in plain clothes waited for her in front of her house at 7:00 am. Xuan had just come home from the market. That woman made an effort to persuade Xuan to style her hair, but Xuan refused.
March 2020:
The investigating agency extended the pre-trial detention period of Nguyen Van Nghiem for another three months.
However, taking advantage of Xuan’s entrance, a group of public security officers in uniforms stormed into the house and arrested Nghiem while searching his house. They confiscated his two computers, two printers, cameras, and cell phones.
Nghiem was prosecuted for “making, storing, disseminating, or propagandizing information, materials, and products that aim to oppose the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam,” under Article 117 of the 2015 Criminal Code. He will be temporarily held for 120 days for investigation, according to an announcement of his arrest released on November 4, 2019, by the Investigation Agency of Hoa Binh Province.
It is likely that his arrest is derived from his videos, posts, and sharing on Facebook. Currently, all the videos on his Youtube channel have been deleted. His Facebook and Youtube accounts were said to be under the control of public security.
Actions TakenNovember 2021:
On November 1, 2021, the UN Special Rapporteur on Arbitrary Detention sent the government of Vietnam its report on human rights defenders Chung Hoang Chuong, Nguyen Van Nghiem, Le Van Dung, Dinh Thi Thu Thuy, Do Nam Trung and Dinh Van Hai, requesting a response. On November 21, the government requested a two-month extension to February, 2022, to reply.
ResourcesVietnam Arrests Nguyen Van Nghiem for “Conducting Anti-state Propaganda” Allegation, 18th Facebooker Detained for Online Activities So Far This Year, Defend the Defenders, November 5, 2019
Facebooker ‘Giáo sư hớt tóc' bị bắt vì phát livestream ‘gây hoang mang trong nhân dân', Radio Free Asia, November 6, 2019
Facebooker thứ 18 bị bắt vì chỉ trích chính phủ trên mạng xã hội, Saigon Broadcasting Television Network, November 6, 2019
Facebooker Nguyen Van Nghiem Sentenced to Six Years in Prison after Being Convicted of “Conducting Anti-state Propaganda”, Defend the Defenders, June 23, 2019
Vietnam Sentences ‘Dr. Haircut’ to Six Years for Live-streaming on Facebook, Radio Free Asia, June 23, 2019
Report from the UN Special Rapporteur, November 2021
Profile last updated: 2024-06-13 20:34:06