Vietnam accused of abducting activists in Cambodia

Vietnamese authorities have been accused by the campaign group Viet Tan of abducting two pro-democracy activists in Cambodia and detaining them in Vietnam on what the group called fabricated terrorism charges.

Viet Tan identified the two men as Nguyen Duc Thuan, a Norwegian citizen, and Tran Hiep, an Australian national also known as Ho Pham Hiep Huy. The group said they had been missing since September 18 while travelling to meet other Vietnamese activists in Cambodia.

Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security said late Monday that Thuan, 52, Hiep, 51, and Thai Cong Truong Son, 46, had been detained on charges of terrorism and forging documents. The ministry said the men tried to enter Vietnam illegally from Cambodia on the night of September 18 and had confessed to being Viet Tan members carrying forged documents to conduct terrorist and sabotage activities.

Viet Tan's US-based executive director Duy Hoang said Thuan and Hiep had no intention of entering Vietnam and accused Hanoi of trying to suppress dissent abroad. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Tuesday that his government was engaging directly with Hiep's family and providing consular assistance.

The terrorism charge carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in jail. Human Rights Watch says more than 160 political prisoners are detained in Vietnam.