Nguyen Khac Toan, 55 years old, a former soldier, mathematics teacher and
business man was arrested on 8 January 2002 in Ha. Noi. His trial took place in ...
Nguyen Khac Toan Nguyen Khac Toan, 55 years old, a former soldier, mathematics teacher and business man was arrested on 8 January 2002 in Ha Noi. His trial took place in December 2002 where he was charged with “spying” under Article 80 of the Criminal Code and sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment plus three years’ house arrest after his release. He is currently detained at Ba Sao prison camp in Nam Ha province in northern Viet Nam. Amnesty International considers that Nguyen Khac Toan’s trial did not meet international standards for fairness and is calling for his immediate and unconditional release as a prisoner of conscience, detained solely for peacefully expressing his political opinions Arrest Nguyen Khac Toan was arrested on 8 January 2002 in Ha Noi for passing information through the Internet to overseas Vietnamese groups about demonstrations held in Ha Noi by farmers. Between November 2001 and January 2002 farmers took part in a series of peaceful sit-down protests in Ha Noi outside the National Assembly and party offices. He also reportedly helped farmers’ representatives draft petitions to the government protesting against official corruption and land confiscation. The trial Nguyen Khac Toan’s trial took place on 20 December 2002; he was charged with “spying” under Article 80 of the Criminal Code. According to an official media report he was accused of collecting “letters of complaints and denunciations and other information, documents and articles written by those who discontented with [sic], or acted against, the Vietnamese government…distorting the country’s political situation and slandering the party and government before sending the information abroad.” The report also stated that between November 2001 and 6 January 2002 he sent 24 emails and two computer discs to an “exiled reactionary organization” as well as making mobile phone contacts. In a trial lasting less than a day he was sentenced to 12 years’ in prison and a further three years’ house arrest on release. In preparing his defense Nguyen Khac Toan was only allowed to meet his lawyer on two occasions before the trial, on 16 December and 19 December – the night before his trial. It was reported that on both these occasions security guards were present which prevented Nguyen Khac Toan and his lawyer from discussing the trial in any great detail. Background Nguyen Khac Toan’s work was first made known in June 1995 when former Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) member and dissident Hoang Minh Chinh was arrested for his writings which criticized the Vietnamese government. Nguyen Khac Toan is reported to have helped his wife write to the government petitioning for his release. He also reportedly helped circulate materials written by leading dissidents. These writings provided commentaries on democracy, human rights and corruption in Viet Nam.
Important dates for Nguyen Khac Toan Date of Arrest – 8 January Date of Trial – 20 December Please refer to the ‘Options for action’ section for other key dates. Advice when writing to Nguyen Khac Toan Groups may want to send occasional greeting cards to Nguyen Khac Toan in prison. These cards should be a personal message of best wishes only. Please ensure that there are no visible Amnesty International logos. Although the cards may not reach their destination they will send a message to the Vietnamese authorities about the international concern for him. Address Ba Sao prison camp Trai Lao Dong Cai Tao Ba Sao Thi Xa Phu Ly – Nam Ha Viet Nam
