Khanh Hoa Province Journalists Association recommends strict handling of the case of two journalists being beaten
The Khanh Hoa Provincial Journalists Association has issued a document stating that two reporters, Ta Van Long and Pham The Anh of Khanh Hoa Newspaper, were illegally detained, assaulted, and had their health harmed by a group of people.
Accordingly, on the afternoon of March 12, the Khanh Hoa Provincial Journalists Association reported and requested the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Journalists Association and the leaders of Khanh Hoa province to promptly give instructions to clarify the incident, verify the subjects with the above law-breaking acts, and handle them according to the provisions of the law to protect the legitimate rights and interests of members of the Vietnam Journalists Association according to the provisions of the law.
On the same day, Khanh Hoa newspaper also sent a document to the Standing Committee of Khanh Hoa Provincial Party Committee requesting opinions so that the Provincial Police could quickly direct the clarification of the case.
As Lao Dong reported, this morningOn March 11, reporters Ta Van Long and The Anh rode a motorbike from Nha Trang to Khanh Thanh commune (Khanh Vinh district), then entered the protective forest of this commune to investigate mining activities there.
After collecting information from the mining camps, two reporters went to one camp and met a man who claimed to be a police officer from Khanh Thanh Commune Police.
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| The scene of the ore mining site in sub-area 193, Khanh Thanh commune, Khanh Vinh district, Khanh Hoa province. Photo: TL |
"Feeling suspicious, the two of us quickly left the forest, but after about 4km, a truck blocked the road. At this time, 4 people appeared and stopped us, demanding to check our papers. We did not show them and continued to pass the truck to move" - reporter Thanh Long recounted.
After walking 200 meters, the two reporters encountered a group of about 10 people. At this time, the truck also arrived. Afraid that the truck would run over them, the two reporters moved their motorbikes to the side of the road to avoid it.
"Immediately, many people rushed in, handcuffed and restrained us. They searched our backpacks (which contained cameras) and pockets, taking our phones and wallets. We were also stripped, only wearing shorts," said reporter Jackie Chan.
These subjects asked: "Who are you?". Knowing that they could not hide it any longer, the two reporters had to reveal that they were reporters from Khanh Hoa newspaper. At this time, one person rushed in and punched reporter Thanh Long four times in the head.
"These people used many threatening words, threatening our lives," said reporter Thanh Long. The two reporters were detained in a camp from 5:30 p.m. to nearly 10 p.m. the same day before being released. After walking a short distance, they saw reporter Thanh Long's backpack in the middle of the road.
"We lost 1.5 million VND and other devices such as 2 phone SIM cards, memory cards..." - Mr. Long said.
According to Colonel Le Quang Thanh - Chief of Khanh Vinh District Police, on the morning of March 12, Department PC 45 (Khanh Hoa Provincial Police) was also present, coordinating with the district police to enter the scene, examine and clarify the incident.
