PARIS: France on Wednesday condemned Vietnam for jailing a prominent blogger and journalist, Truong Duy Nhat, who posted articles critical of Hanoi’s Communist government.
The foreign ministry in Paris issued a statement saying it “deplores” Nhat’s incarceration on Tuesday, saying it went against freedom of expression.
Nhat, 50, was found guilty of “abusing democratic freedoms to infringe on the interests of the state” at a half-day trial in his native city of Danang on Vietnam’s central coast. He was sentenced to two years behind bars.
The United States has also said it was “deeply concerned” by the sentence and called for the release of Nhat “and all prisoners of conscience.”
In Vietnam, lawyers, bloggers and activists are regularly subject to arbitrary arrest and detention, according to rights groups.
Private media are banned in the country with all newspapers and television channels state-run, but many citizens access news through blogs and social media.
Reporters Without Borders said Vietnam was second only to China in the number of bloggers it detained, with at least 34 currently behind bars.
Man in suicide bid sued
TAIPEI: A Taiwanese man who rammed a truck into the presidential office in an attempted suicide attack was yesterday charged with attempted murder and four lesser offences.
Chang Teh-cheng, 41, drove the 35-tonne vehicle at high speed through several barricades, up a set of steps and into a bullet-proof screen before getting stuck in a gate leading to the office’s main building.
Chang was badly injured but no one else was hurt in the January 25 incident, the worst breach of security at the site in Taipei. President Ma Ying-jeou was abroad on a state visit at the time.
“Chang not only damaged national properties but could also trigger copycat effects to endanger public safety,” prosecutors said.
“We demand a heavy sentence as he has shown no remorse and has a bad attitude,” they added.
The truck driver was also indicted on four other charges, including obstructing officers on duties and damaging historical property, the prosecutors said.
Chang has said he drove his truck into the building in order to vent his frustration over what he called “unfair justice,” according to prosecutors.
Militants free teacher in Sulu
MANILA: A teacher kidnapped by members of the rebel group Abu Sayyaf was released in Sulu yesterday morning, a military official said.
Capt Ryan Lacuesta, civil military operations officer of the 2nd Marine Brigade, said Alrashid Jahang, a teacher from the Tagbili Elementary School, was released 17 hours after he was kidnapped in Patikul town in Sulu province.
Jahang was nabbed by at least 11 Abu Sayyaf men at around 4pm on Wednesday in Liang village in Patikul town.
The kidnappers were led by Aljini Mundoc, alias Ninok Sapari. Jahang was flagged down by the Abu Sayyaf while he was on his way to Jolo town aboard a motorcycle.
Lacuesta said Jahang’s relatives and local government officials negotiated with the Abu Sayyaf through the relatives of the kidnappers.
The military, however, would not confirm whether the family of the victim paid a ransom for his freedom.
AGencies
