The Hanoi People's Court announced that Doan Bao Chau, a 58-year-old freelance worker residing in Hanoi, will face public trial on 3/8. He is charged with making, possessing, disseminating, or propagating information, documents, and items against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, under point b, clause 1, Article 117 of the Penal Code.
According to the indictment, Chau registered, created, managed, and used the Facebook account "Chau Doan" around 2007.
Between 2016 and 2021, Chau allegedly live-streamed five videos on this account, featuring interviews with unnamed individuals. Additionally, a 48-minute video of an interview with Doan Bao Chau by a reporter was posted on the YouTube channel "BBC Tieng Viet".
The Hanoi Department of Information and Communications concluded that the six video clips contained "content propagating psychological warfare rhetoric, fabricating news, causing public confusion," and "distorting, slandering, and insulting the prestige of organizations, as well as the honor and dignity of individuals".
During the investigation, Chau admitted the voice and images in the six video clips were his. However, he denied that the purpose of live-streaming and giving interviews was to oppose the State. Subsequently, Chau fled.
Investigators posted procedural documents for Chau at the Giang Vo Ward People's Committee, his last known residence before fleeing. They also appealed to him and sent a letter urging his surrender through his wife.
Authorities also published a wanted notice in the mass media, following regulations on inter-agency coordination for investigating, prosecuting, and trying suspects and defendants in absentia.
Doan Bao Chau is known as a writer with six published novels and a seasoned martial arts master. In 2017, he gained public attention after a karate match against martial arts master Pierre Francois Flores, a senior disciple of the Vinh Xuan Nam Anh branch of traditional martial arts in Canada.
The match lasted only about three minutes, with martial arts master Francois Flores delivering a series of leg and hand strikes to knock out Chau.
Thanh Lam
