Nguyen Huu Vinh
Nguyễn Hữu Vinh
Detainment Type: Released - at risk
Other Names: Nguyễn Hữu Vinh, Anh Ba Sàm
Date of Birth: 1956
Gender: M
Ethnicity: Kinh
Last Known Prison: Prison No. 5, Thanh Hoa province
Activist Focus:
- Democracy
- Press
Details
Immediate Concerns
April 2019:
Political prisoner Nguyen Huu Vinh‘s family is concerned about him and his upcoming release from prison. Vinh and his family have experienced strange treatment in Prison No. 5 in Thanh Hoa province, including being warned not to bring any non-family members with posters and banners on the day of his release from prison.
BackgroundNguyen Huu Vinh, also known as Anh Ba Sam, is a former police officer and private investigator.
History of ActivismNguyen Huu Vinh started the blog Ba Sam in 2007, which featured content on a variety of social, economic, and political topics. Later, Vinh started other websites as well. Vinh eventually backed away from his direct role with Ba Sam, and the blog faced many concerted attacks over the years.
Family SituationNguyen Huu Vinh is the son of a late government official. He is married.
Just a day before Vinh and Thuy's trial, family and friends gathered to host a book launch of the bilingual Vietnamese-English "Anh Ba Sam" book.
Sentenced to 5 years in prison under Art. 258 (1999 Code). Expected Release is May 5, 2019.
May 5, 2014
- Art. 258 (1999 Code)
Viet Nam
March 23, 2016 - Date of trial
5 years in prison
May 5, 2019
Details of Imprisonment
On May 5, 2014, authorities detained Nguyen Huu Vinh and his assistant Nguyen Thi Minh Thuy on charges related to articles published on two of their more recently-established websites. They awaited trial for almost two years (the trial was originally set for January 19, 2016, but later rescheduled); on March 23, 2016, Vinh was sentenced to five years in a Hanoi court under Article 258 of the 1999 Criminal Code for "abusing democratic freedoms;" Thuy was sentenced to three. Both maintained their innocence at trial. Their sentences were upheld on appeal on September 22, 2016. Vinh remains in prison, while Thuy was released on May 5, 2017 after completing her sentence.
Physical Health HistoryVinh's wife reported health issues in late 2015; Vinh was suffering from symptoms possibly indicative of liver and blood diseases.
Mental Health HistoryVinh has been denied reading materials and his communications and family visits restricted while imprisoned.
Actions TakenMarch 2016:
Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International demanded the charges be dropped leading up to Vinh and Thuy's trial.
September 2016:
Human Rights Watch called for the release of Vinh and Nguyen Thi Minh Thuy ahead of their appeal trial.
June 2017:
Two German members of Parliament attempted to meet with Vinh in prison, but their request was denied upon arriving at the prison.
Profile last updated: 2024-06-13 20:34:03