Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06HOCHIMINHCITY436
2006-04-25 12:39:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Cable title:
HCMC PALTALK INTERNET ARRESTEES VISITED
how-toVZCZCXRO3847 RR RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHNH RUEHPB DE RUEHHM #0436 1151239 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 251239Z APR 06 FM AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0746 INFO RUEHHI/AMEMBASSY HANOI 0540 RUCNARF/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY 0779
UNCLAS HO CHI MINH CITY 000436
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL SOCI VM
SUBJECT: HCMC PALTALK INTERNET ARRESTEES VISITED
REF: A) HCMC 334, B) 05 HCMC 1131
UNCLAS HO CHI MINH CITY 000436
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL SOCI VM
SUBJECT: HCMC PALTALK INTERNET ARRESTEES VISITED
REF: A) HCMC 334, B) 05 HCMC 1131
1. (SBU) On April 21, ConGen spoke with Chau Van Hung, uncle of
Truong Quoc Huy and Truong Quoc Tuan, two of the original
"PalTalk" arrestees. (Per reftels, the two, along with another
brother and Lisa Pham, a U.S. Legal Permanent Resident, were
arrested on October 19, 2005 and charged with attempting to
overthrow the GVN.) Hung said police had allowed him to visit
Huy and Tuan on April 20 at HCMC police headquarters. This was
his second visit. Hung said the brothers were healthy and
showed no signs of abuse. He described Huy as "normal", but
added that Tuan "was scared." A policeman was present during
the entire meeting and did not permit Hung to bring food or
clothes. Hung said he now would be allowed to visit Huy and
Tuan twice a month.
2. (SBU) Hung said he did not know what his nephews had done to
merit arrest, but acknowledged that the boys used the internet
frequently. Hung said he was not aware of other arrests,
including that of Lisa Pham, his nephew's fiancee. Police told
Hung that investigation was under way, and that Huy and Tuan
were awaiting prosecution. Hung said he was informed by police
that the boys were suspected of having "propagandized against
the government." (Comment: If true, this could indicate that
police are downgrading the charges against the pair from
sedition to a milder charge. End Comment.)
WINNICK
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL SOCI VM
SUBJECT: HCMC PALTALK INTERNET ARRESTEES VISITED
REF: A) HCMC 334, B) 05 HCMC 1131
1. (SBU) On April 21, ConGen spoke with Chau Van Hung, uncle of
Truong Quoc Huy and Truong Quoc Tuan, two of the original
"PalTalk" arrestees. (Per reftels, the two, along with another
brother and Lisa Pham, a U.S. Legal Permanent Resident, were
arrested on October 19, 2005 and charged with attempting to
overthrow the GVN.) Hung said police had allowed him to visit
Huy and Tuan on April 20 at HCMC police headquarters. This was
his second visit. Hung said the brothers were healthy and
showed no signs of abuse. He described Huy as "normal", but
added that Tuan "was scared." A policeman was present during
the entire meeting and did not permit Hung to bring food or
clothes. Hung said he now would be allowed to visit Huy and
Tuan twice a month.
2. (SBU) Hung said he did not know what his nephews had done to
merit arrest, but acknowledged that the boys used the internet
frequently. Hung said he was not aware of other arrests,
including that of Lisa Pham, his nephew's fiancee. Police told
Hung that investigation was under way, and that Huy and Tuan
were awaiting prosecution. Hung said he was informed by police
that the boys were suspected of having "propagandized against
the government." (Comment: If true, this could indicate that
police are downgrading the charges against the pair from
sedition to a milder charge. End Comment.)
WINNICK