June 11, 2008
Hoang Ha: Good morning, our audience. Today, we will meet a young student, Nguyen Tri Dung, the son of journalist Nguyen Van Hai who writes articles under the pen name Hoang Hai and is known under the pseudonym Dieu Cay. Dieu Cay is a member ofThe Liberal Journalist Network of Vietnam and was arrested on April 19th, 2008 in Da Lat and was taken to Sai Gon on the same day. Nguyen Tri Dung is on the line with us.
Firstly, how is Dieu Cay doing, can you share with us? Nguyen Tri Dung: Well, my father has been told to be suffering severe diarrhea at the moment. He continues to send out the messages. I have already sent medicine to him many times. Those who interviewed my Dad said that they had sent him medicine as well.
Hoang Ha: But when you sent medicine in, did they know that it belonged to Dieu Cay? Has his diarrhea gotten better?
Nguyen Tri Dung: I don’t know. The prison guards said they guard very carefully. That must be the regulation of the prison, so certain belongings and food are not allowed.
Hoang Ha: Right now, what do the authorities intend to do to Dieu Cay?
Nguyen Tri Dung: They arrested my father and accused him of tax evasion. However, when my father’s lawyer requested to see him, they did not permit him.
Hoang Ha: What was the reason? Can you clarify it?
Nguyen Tri Dung: Because they said my father did not cooperate during the investigation process.
I think if they have arrested my father because of tax evasion and they already have the evidence, they should start the case early. I don’t understand how they want my father to cooperate thus continuing to detain him.
Hoang Ha: You said they arrested him for tax evasion, is that a sound reason? Do you think your father evaded tax?
Nguyen Tri Dung: My father was very careful about legality and taxation. When he rented number 57 and 84, he made it clear that the tenants would have to pay tax. That has always been agreed upon.
Hoang Ha: If so, the authorities have obviously used it as an excuse to arrest Dieu Cay, is that right?
Nguyen Tri Dung: To be honest, I don’t know why they arrested my father, but so far, I think the tax evasion pretext does not hold. If they already have the evidence, I urge them to start the case and judge him fairly.
Hoang Ha: After April 17th 2008, have The Liberal Journalist Network of Vietnam and your family hired a lawyer to defend Dieu Cay? How did the state-run An Ninh Newspaper (Security Newspaper) demean Dieu Cay?
Nguyen Tri Dung: Since the start of my father’s detainment, the authorities have contacted lawyers and talked to my mother. My family has hired Le Cong Dinh, who was referred to us by friends. So far, my mother has been very worn out. I cannot accept the fact that the Cong An newspaper has distorted information about my father. However, there are other, more important issues that need to be focused on.
Hoang Ha: How did you and your mother react to such articles?
Nguyen Tri Dung: I don’t think my father evaded tax and the article was inaccurate. They said their evidence was founded. They stated that my father had beaten my mother, causing a skull fracture. I think that is a family matter, a disagreement between them if it ever happened, and is irrelevant to tax evasion. My mother did not agree with that either. I think, when my father returns, we will sue that newspaper.
Hoang Ha: What do you think of Vietnamese newspapers?
Nguyen Tri Dung: That was what the Cong An newspaper had said about my father on April 22nd. On April 23rd, the Cong An Nhan Dan newspaper had another distorted article. I feel that Vietnamese newspapers do not write things from many different views. They always write from one perspective and receive information from one source. [The newspapers] are very unjust and are used like a tool to manipulate the public, rather than to report the truth.
Hoang Ha: Thank you for this interview. We will pay attention to Dieu Cay’s unjust detention.