Ministry of Public Security announces terrorist organization at Tan Son Nhat airport

On January 30, the Ministry of Public Security's electronic information portal issued a notice about the terrorist organization "Provisional National Government of Vietnam" founded in 1991 by Dao Minh Quan and several others in the US.

Accordingly, the "Provisional National Government of Vietnam" was formerly the "New Democracy" organization headquartered in the US. The leader and commander of this organization is Dao Minh Quan (66 years old, American nationality). In addition, there are also Quach The Hung (70 years old), Kelly Trieu (50 years old), Pham Lisa (39 years old).

The group that planted petrol bombs at Tan Son Nhat airport at the first instance trial in December 2017. Photo:CTV.

According to the police, after its establishment, Quan and several others went to Vietnamese refugee camps in Hong Kong and Southeast Asian countries to recruit forces and bring them back to Vietnam to carry out terrorist and sabotage activities.

In 2015, the group leading this organization directed the base to connect and attract and develop forces. They surveyed to find a location to set up a base, bought weapons to carry out daring and terrorist activities, but were promptly detected and prevented by the Vietnam Security Agency, arrested and prosecuted 4 people including: Ha Ngoc Han, Mai Xuan Nghia, Luong Tuan Vinh and Nguyen Van Hoi.

After fleeing to Laos, Mai Xuan Nghia returned to Vietnam with Dao Quang Thuc to plan to buy weapons for terrorist attacks but was discovered and arrested by Vietnamese authorities.

Scene of the petrol bomb being thrown at the Bien Hoa City Police's temporary vehicle detention lot. Photo:Ngoc An

In 2017, the leaders of the terrorist organization sent two members, Phan Angel (Phan Thi Dao, born in 1956, American nationality) and Nguyen James Han (Nguyen Thanh Han, born in 1967, American nationality) back to the country to provide finance and directly direct the activities. Following the instructions, they threw petrol bombs, causing 320 vehicles to burn at the temporary storage of traffic violation vehicles of Bien Hoa City Police (Dong Nai) on April 8, 2017.

More than ten days later, they placed petrol bombs at the parking lot and the international arrival gate of Tan Son Nhat International Airport. In addition, the terrorist group also surveyed and planned to cause fires and explosions at government offices and a number of factories and enterprises, but were prevented by Vietnamese authorities.

By April 2017, Vietnamese authorities had prosecuted and temporarily detained 15 members of the organization "Provisional National Government of Vietnam" for the crime of terrorism against the people's government (Article 84 of the 1999 Vietnamese Penal Code).

In December 2017, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Court brought the above case to trial and sentenced the defendants involved to between 4 and 16 years in prison.

The Ministry of Public Security announces that anyone who participates, propagates, entices, incites others to participate, sponsors, receives sponsorship from the "Provisional National Government of Vietnam", or participates in training courses, coaching, or operates under the direction of this organization is guilty of terrorism and terrorism financing and will be handled according to the provisions of Vietnamese law.