A Vietnamese court has sentenced journalist and blogger Truong Huy San, known as Huy Duc, to two and a half years in prison for “abusing democratic freedoms” through his social media posts.
The 64-year-old, author of The Winning Side, was convicted under a vague provision of the Penal Code often used to silence dissent.
He had been detained since June 7, 2023, after authorities accused him of publishing content on corruption and the environment, topics considered “sensitive” by the state.
According to Radio Free Asia (RFA), sources close to his family revealed that his arrest and sentencing reflect the iron-fisted approach of Communist Party General Secretary To Lam, under whose leadership such crackdowns on dissent have intensified.
Vietnamese state media reported that between 2015 and 2024, Huy Duc had “collected information and documents, drafted and published numerous articles on his personal Facebook page – Truong Huy San (Osin Huy Duc).”
The indictment alleges that thirteen of these articles “violated the interests of the state and the legitimate rights and interests of organizations and individuals.”
Authorities claimed his posts “attracted significant interactions, comments, and shares, which had a negative impact on public safety and social order,” according to a report by AsiaNews.
During the trial, state media reported that Huy Duc apologized and “took responsibility” for his actions, insisting he had no intention of opposing the government.
In his final statement, he admitted to breaking the law and appealed for leniency “so that he can participate in social activities.”
It remains unclear whether he will appeal the verdict, according to an anonymous source cited by RFA.
At 18, Huy Duc enlisted in the North Vietnamese Volunteer Army, serving in Cambodia during Hanoi’s occupation of the 1980s.
He later built a journalism career at Tuoi Tre, contributing to publications like Thanh Nien, Dien Dan Doanh Nghiep, Nong Thon Ngay Nay, and Sai Gon Tiep Thi.
However, after falling out of favor with the authorities, he turned to social media and independent writing.
His book, The Winning Side, published in 2021, examines the Vietnam War (1954-1975) but is no longer available in the country. His Facebook page, once followed by over 350,000 people, has since been shut down.
In recent years, he has written about environmental issues and the anti-corruption campaign of late Communist Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong, which was widely seen as a power struggle.
This campaign, initially led by former Public Security Minister To Lam, has now intensified under his leadership as General Secretary.
His conviction underscores Vietnam’s use of its Criminal Code to suppress journalists and dissenting voices.
- Article 331 criminalizes “abusing democratic freedoms to violate the interests of the state, legitimate rights and interests of organizations and/or citizens.”
- Article 117 punishes those accused of “the production, storage and dissemination of information, materials and objects for the purpose of opposing the state of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.”
Violations under these laws can lead to sentences of up to 20 years in prison.
International human rights groups, including Human Rights Watch and Reporters Without Borders, have repeatedly called for Huy Duc’s release, but their appeals have been ignored.
“When an author and journalist like Truong Huy San is silenced, it is not just his voice that is silenced, it is the right of the entire society to seek truth and accountability,” said Anh-Thu Vo, PEN America’s director of advocacy.
“Criticism is not a crime. Vietnam must use the law as a weapon against those who dare speak the truth,” she added.
According to PEN America’s 2023 Freedom to Write report, Vietnam ranks third in the world for imprisoning writers, trailing only China and Iran.
Reporters Without Borders also reported in December that at least 38 journalists are currently detained in the country.
