Hanoi police verify case of criminal police attacking reporter

The Director of Hanoi Police requested clarification on the incident in which reporter Quang The (Tuoi Tre newspaper) was punched in the head and had his camera snatched by several plainclothes police officers while he was working.

The Office of the Police Investigation Agency was assigned to verify the case. According to a source, Dong Anh District Police yesterday asked a number of officers from the Criminal Investigation Team to write a report. However,The identities of those involved in the assault on the reporter have not been revealed.

This morning, the Vietnam Journalists Association sent a document toHanoi police request urgent clarificationso that this does not become a "bad precedent".Talk toVnExpress, Mr. Phan Huu Minh (Head of Inspection Committee, Vietnam Journalists Association) affirmed: "The behaviorViolating the bodies of journalists and reporters; obstructing or making it difficult for them to work is against the Press Law as well as the right to practice of journalists in Vietnam.

Former Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Do Quy Doan assessed this as a "serious incident", Tuoi Tre newspaper needed tohave a written petition to the responsible agency to intervene.Ho Chi Minh City Youth Union (governing body), Ministry of Information and Communications (press management agency), Vietnam Journalists Association (member protection organization)sent documents to Hanoi People's Committee, Ministry of Public Security... requesting clarification.

"To avoid speculation, the investigation conclusion needs to be made public so as not to tarnish the image of law enforcement officers and create trust among the people," said the former deputy minister.

According to Mr. Doan, in the past, assaults on reporters happened rarely, but now they happen more often.In the current press context, information is difficult to access, some people disregard the law, reporters and journalists must have plans to protect their equipment, documents and lives. When working in the field, they need to work in groups and report to the editorial office so that when an incident occurs, they can respond.

According to recorded images, at least two people in plain clothes attacked Mr. The.

On the morning of September 23, reporter Quang The (Tuoi Tre newspaper) was investigating the case of a taxi driver who died under Nhat Tan bridge (Dong Anh, Hanoi) when he was stopped by a man dressed as a police officer.

Mr. The presented his papers and when he went about 30 meters away to continue taking photos, he was stopped by a group of people. A plainclothes criminal police officer from Dong Anh district was present and assaulted Mr. The. "I was beaten until my mouth bled and punched in the head," Mr. The said, adding that the camera he was holding was snatched away and he was prevented from working.

On the afternoon of September 23, Lieutenant Colonel Pham Nam Thang, Captain of the Criminal Police Department of Dong Anh District Police, went to the newspaper's representative office in Hanoi to apologize to Mr. Quang The, admitting the "incorrect attitude" of his subordinates.

Mr. Thang explained that these were young soldiers, possibly "under pressure" to protect a crowded scene, so they "behaved inappropriately."

According to VNE