Vietnam Court Suddenly Postpones Trial against Labor Activist, Environmentalist Hoang Binh

Labor activist Hoang Duc Binh

Defend the Defenders. January 25, 2018

The People’s Court in Dien Chau district, Vietnam’s central province of Nghe An, has suddenly postponed the open trial against labor activist and environmentalist Hoang Duc Binh (or Hoang Binh) scheduled on January 25 in Vinh City.

When his lawyers Ha Huy Son and Le Van Luan came to the headquarters of the province’s People’s Court, where the trial is slated to be held, at 7.50 AM, they were informed that the trial has been cancelled due to “absence of lawyers,” Mr. Son said.

According to its letter sent to the lawyers, the court said the trial was re-scheduled on February 6.

Nguyen Nam Phong, the driver of Catholic priest Nguyen Dinh Thuc, who refused secret agents’ request to open his car door in which Binh and the priest travelled on the day of Binh’s detention, was also arrested on allegation of “resisting on-duty officials” several months later, is also on the case.

Mr. Binh, vice president of the unsanctioned Viet Labor Movement, was said to be protected by three lawyers namely Son, Luan and Ngo Anh Tuan. Earlier this week, lawyer Tuan sent a letter to the court saying he cannot attend the trial due to his busy schedule.

Many relatives and friends of Binh came to the court areas without being disturbed. Security forces would block the areas if the trial had been carried out as planned, as in all political cases, relatives and supporters are not allowed to enter the courtrooms but stay far from the court areas.

Yesterday (January 23), authorities in Nghe An summoned numerous local activists. They also detained former prisoner of conscience Do Thi Minh Hanh, president of the Viet Labor Movement, when she landed in Vinh Airport from Ho Chi Minh City to support Binh. Police violently took her cell phone, broke it and destroyed the sim. They also robbed her wallet with VND1.1 million (nearly $50) and deported her back to the southern economic hub, the victim told Defend the Defenders.

Other activists complained that they were placed under house arrest from the early morning of January 25 until the court cancelation was announced.