Hanoi police announced on the evening of 7/7 that Nguyen Thanh Nam, 65, and Tran Viet Anh, 33, were charged and detained by the Hanoi Police Investigation Security Agency. They face investigation for "making, storing, disseminating or propagandizing information, documents, and items to oppose the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam," under Article 117 of the Penal Code.
According to the investigation agency, the case involves the book "Chuyen voi Thanh - Loi ke moi ve anh sang" and numerous videos containing illegal content.
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Suspect Nguyen Thanh Nam at the investigation agency. Photo: Hanoi Police |
Investigators accuse the two suspects of making, storing, and disseminating the aforementioned videos and book. The content of these materials allegedly "distorts the history of revolutions and the Party's and State's policies." It also "insults President Ho Chi Minh, General Vo Nguyen Giap, and other Party and State leaders."
Appearing on VTV evening news, suspect Nam admitted to investigators that "many contents in the book are untrue," expressing regret and apologizing to readers. Suspect Viet Anh stated his goal in creating the content on the channel was to attract viewers, increase interaction, and maximize economic benefits on digital platforms.
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Suspect Tran Viet Anh. Photo: Hanoi Police |
On 10/6, the Writers' Association Publishing House announced the suspension of distribution and recall of the book, more than two months after its release.
