Vietnam detains three people on terrorism charges — The Japan Times

In Vietnam, police detained three men, including a Norwegian citizen and an Australian citizen of Vietnamese origin, on terrorism charges. As The Japan Times reports, Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security said they were detained on September 18 while attempting to illegally cross the border from Cambodia into Vietnam.

Accusations of involvement in Viet Tan

The detainees were identified as Nguyen Duc Thuan, Ho Pham Hiep Huy and Thai Cong Truong Son. According to the ministry, they admitted to being members of Viet Tan, a U.S.-based pro-democracy group that Vietnam’s communist authorities designate as a terrorist organization.

Vietnamese authorities claim that the men were illegally entering the country to carry out terrorist and sabotage activities. They are also accused of forging seals and documents. The ministry said that Thuan, born in 1974, held a Norwegian passport, while Huy, born in 1975, held an Australian one. Son was born in 1980, and his citizenship was not specified.

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The pro-democracy group’s account

Viet Tan said that Thuan and Huy, also known as Tran Hiep, were abducted in Cambodia and forcibly taken to Vietnam. According to the organization, they disappeared on the morning of September 18 while traveling to Kaoh Andaet, an area in southern Cambodia near the Vietnamese border.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that the government is providing consular assistance to Huy and his family. The Norwegian Embassy in Hanoi referred inquiries to the government in Oslo, while a Cambodian government representative said they had no information about the detention. Vietnamese authorities said that the investigation is ongoing and that the detainees will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.