Le Van Hai
Lê Văn Hải
Current Status: Likely released - at risk
Date of Birth: 1966
Gender: M
Ethnicity: Kinh
Occupation: Retired
Activist Focus:
- Land rights
Details
Immediate Concerns
March 2021:
On March 31, the People’s Court of Binh Dinh Province sentenced Facebooker Le Van Hai to four years in prison for “abusing democratic freedoms” under Article 331 of the Criminal Code.
Background
Le Van Hai lives and works in Binh Province.
Profile photo: Le Van Hai when being arrested. Source
History of Activism
Hai and his family have been affected by a wastewater treatment project in Quy Nhon City since 2016. With his land confiscated and unfair compensation given for it, Hai has pursued a formal complaint procedure. However, with most of his demands denied, he turned to social media to show his frustration against the local authorities.
Sentenced to 4 years in prison under Art. 331 (2015 Code). Expected Release is September 19, 2024.
March 31, 2021 - Date of trial
4 years in prison
September 19, 2024
Details of Imprisonment
According to the report by the local public security, Hai will be detained for two months; public security already conducted a search of his residence in the coastal city of Quy Nhon.
The police investigation into Hai’s case states that he often used his Facebook account to share or post comments that slandered or offended the prestige of Vietnamese government leaders, including Communist Party members and provincial officials.
Hai had also sent many complaints to Binh Dinh authorities asking for compensation payments because his family’s house and land had been confiscated to build a wastewater treatment plant in Quy Nhon.
When authorities denied the request, he shared his frustration on Facebook. The state media said that the authorities had met with him on the issue but Hai was “stubborn” and continued to “over-complain” to higher authorities, affecting “public order” and “public faith” in the local authorities.
March 2021:
On March 31, the People’s Court of Binh Dinh Province sentenced Facebooker Le Van Hai to four years in prison for “abusing democratic freedoms” under Article 331 of the Criminal Code.
Resources
Khởi tố ông Lê Văn Hải về hành vi lợi dụng các quyền tự do, dân chủ, Thanh niên Online, September 18, 2020
Bắt đối tượng lên Facebook xúc phạm lãnh đạo Đảng, Nhà nước, Sài Gòn Giải Phóng, September 18, 2020
Bắt tạm giam đối tượng thường xuyên đăng bài viết bôi nhọ lãnh đạo Đảng, Nhà nước, Tiền Phong, September 18, 2020
Vietnamese Facebook Users Draw Prison Terms for Postings Criticizing Government, State Officials, Radio Free Asia, March 31, 2021
Profile last updated: 2024-10-08 20:47:35