A reporter was assaulted and detained while working.

While working, Mr. Nguyen Quang Hai, currently a reporter for VTC News, was suddenly attacked by a group of people believed to be from Queen Bee restaurant (Lang Ha, Hanoi) and then detained for nearly 2 hours.

The above incident happened on the afternoon of March 18, at Queen Bee restaurant, 20 Lang Ha, Hanoi.

According to initial information, on the same morning, Mr. Hai was sent by the editorial office to work after receiving complaints from residents about the situation of parking encroaching on the sidewalk and roadway on Lang Ha Street, the section running in front of Queen Bee Restaurant.

Queen Bee Restaurant No. 20 Lang Ha (Photo: Contributor)

While recording the images, Mr. Hai said he was attacked by a group of people and then "confined" at a coffee shop located in lane 22, Lang Ha street, right next to Queen Bee restaurant.

At around 12 o'clock the same day, the leadership of VTC News electronic newspaper received information about Mr. Nguyen Quang Hai being assaulted and illegally detained by some people. Immediately, the newspaper sent people to investigate and resolve the matter.

At around 1:05 p.m., realizing the seriousness of the incident, reporters at the scene called the Lang Ha Ward Police as well as the Dong Da District Police to send forces to the scene to rescue Nguyen Quang Hai.

A few minutes later, more than 20 police officers and soldiers were mobilized to the above mentioned coffee shop to take professional measures to resolve the incident.

At around 2:00 p.m. the same day, Lang Ha Ward Police brought Nguyen Quang Hai to the headquarters to take his statement. The police also asked some related employees of Queen Bee to come to the headquarters to work.

After being taken out, Mr. Hai said: While he was taking pictures outside on the sidewalk, a restaurant employee grabbed him by the collar and dragged him into alley 22 Lang Ha. He was followed by 3 other employees. There, Mr. Hai was beaten and forced to delete all of his documents.

“About 20 minutes later, they took me to a nearby coffee shop. There, they threatened, cursed, and wanted to kill me,” Hai said in fear.

Mr. Nguyen Quang Hai hopes that the authorities, including the press agencies, will clarify the matter and protect the legitimate rights and interests of a citizen.

Speaking with us, a representative of the VTC News electronic newspaper affirmed: "The actions of the subjects are acts of hooliganism, disregard for the law, and seriously violate the body and working rights of reporters. VTC News electronic newspaper requests the police to investigate and clarify the subjects who assaulted reporter Quang Hai to strictly handle them before the law."

According to Vietnamplus