Campaign of intimidation against lawyer representing Thai Ha parishioners continues
The latest step in the campaign was the lawyer’s arrest last Tuesday at Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat Airport as he was preparing to fly to Hanoi for the trial against Ha Nôi Moi and Vietnam Television 1.
Charges were brought against the two media outlets by some of the eight Thai Ha parishioners who were convicted for disorderly conduct and damaging state property when they held a prayer vigil in which they demanded justice and the return of Church property seized by the authorities.
During the trial the accused pleaded not guilty, a plea confirmed by witnesses. The media reported instead that they had acknowledged breaking the law and had admitted their guilt. And the journalists who reported the trial were even given an award by the Hanoi Communist Party secretary, PhamQuang Nghi.
Le Tran Luat’s detention is not the first time he has had a brush with the law because of his work on behalf of people who unfairly lost property to or suffered abuses by the authorities.
On 25 February police raided his office in Ho Chi Minh City. No explanation was given, but documents and computers were seized. Before that, on 10 February, he received an official letter from the Ninh Thuân Provincial Bar Association, of which he is a member, informing him that local police and court were investigating him for alleged infractions he committed in his professional activities and that he had to appear before the Association to explain himself.
On 24 February Ho Chi Minh City’s police newspaper (Bao Công An Thanh Phô Hô Chi Minh) published an article accusing him of making money fraudulently, and claiming that several complaints had been made against him.
The article appears to be designed to prepare public opinion for some measures against the lawyer. Luât himself was told by phone on the morning of 24 February that a media campaign was being prepared against him, suggesting that he give up on the Thai Ha affair, especially the legal action against state media.
Last Wednesday an aide to the lawyer, Ta Phong Tan, was taken into custody by plainclothes policemen, who subjected her to hours of interrogation. According to her, only one official wore a name tag, indicating his identity. Upon her release she was told to appear again for more questioning.
A great crowd took part in the vigil organised by the Redemptorists. Similar initiatives were organised in Ho Chi Minh City monasteries and in other provinces.
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