Democracy Activist Nguyen Van Duc Do Severely Beaten by Inmates After Being Convicted

46178216_1884410995010758_953897852596125696_n

Democracy campaigner, labor activist Nguyen Van Duc Do

Defend the Defenders, November 16, 2018

 

Jailed democracy campaigner and labor activist Nguyen Van Duc Do had been severely beaten by criminal inmates while being held in Chi Hoa temporary detention facility under authority of Ho Chi Minh City’s Police Department, Defend the Defenders has learned.

Mr. Do, vice president of the unregistered Viet Labor Movement, told his relatives during their visit to the facility on November 15 that he was attacked by three criminal inmates with whom he share the same cell on October 15, ten days after he was convicted on charge of subversion.

After being assaulted, Do asked the facility guards to move him to another cell, however, they denied, saying there would be no threat for the activist. Right after the guards left, the three attackers continued to beat him until he fell unconscious and collapsed on the ground.

Due to the assault, Do suffered from serious injuries on his face, head and body. He was sent to to the facility’s clinics for medical treatment.

Mr. Luu Van Vinh, who was convicted in the same case, told his wife that several months ago, Do was also beaten by Chi Hoa detention facility’s guards after having quarrels with them.

Mr. Do was arrested in early November 2016, together with Luu Van Vinh, Nguyen Quoc Hoan, Tu Cong Nghia and Phan Trung were arrested in relation with their plan to set up the Vietnam National Coalition to promote multi-party democracy and human rights. They were charged with subvesion under Article 79 of the 1999 Penal Code. Last month, the People’s Court of Ho Chi Minh City found that they are guilty and sentenced them to between eight and 15 years in prison and three years of probation each.

Do had claimed that he is innocent because he has no relations with the coalition.

Do, Vinh and others were reportedly beaten upon their arrest in early November 2016 and in police custody in Chi Hoa temporary detention facility.