Activist says he was taken by force

Australian pro-democracy activist Hiep Tran, imprisoned in Ho Chi Minh City, told his family he never entered Vietnam willingly. Australian officials met him at the B34 detention centre last Thursday.

“I never crossed the border. I am struggling mentally, traumatised and terrified by the situation.”

He disappeared in Cambodia a month ago

Hiep Tran vanished in Cambodia on September eighteen. His wife, Chloe Dang, said Australian officials passed her a brief message from her husband after the visit to his detention centre.

Vietnam's account contradicts his claim

Vietnamese authorities say Hiep Tran and Norwegian citizen Duc Thuan Nguyen tried to illegally enter Vietnam to engage in terrorist and sabotage activities. Supporters allege they were abducted and forcibly taken there.

His mental and physical health is deteriorating

Chloe Dang said Australian officials told her her husband is in a fragile mental state, gripped by fear, and experiencing erratic blood pressure, none of which he had experienced before.

“I was told that he is in a fragile mental state, gripped by fear, and experiencing erratic blood pressure, none of which he had ever experienced before.”

Vietnamese prison officials restrict contact

Australian consular officials handed over fresh clothes and showed Hiep Tran a family photo, though he was not allowed to keep it.Vietnamese officials warned they would be kicked out if discussions went beyond approved topics.

Charges have not been disclosed

Vietnamese authorities have still not provided Hiep Tran with details of the charges against him. His wife says she is grateful for Australian government support but calls for continued international pressure.

“No-one, whether an Australian citizen or anyone else, should ever have to endure the terrible ordeal that my husband and our family are going through.”

Community vigils held for the activists

Vietnamese community members and activists held a candlelight vigil in Sydney on Saturday night for Hiep Tran and two other activists who disappeared in Cambodia. A similar event is being organised in Melbourne.