Solidarity does not mean complicity or defense of wrongdoing.

(Baonghean) -Several domestic and foreign websites in recent days have posted information such as "Nghe An, My Yen parishioners surrounded Nghi Phuong Commune Committee to demand the release of illegally arrested people" or "Nghe An: parishioners gathered to demand the resolution of the illegal arrest case" (Radio Free Asiawww.rfa.orgSeptember 3). The above accusations against the government clearly cause confusion in public opinion at home and abroad. What is the truth of the matter?

Excerpt from RFA's article "Nghe An Police Illegally Detain People" on August 4 explaining the origin of the incident: "Two Catholic parishioners of Trai Gao Parish, My Yen, were arrested on June 27, Mr. Ngo Van Khoi, 53 years old, and Mr. Nguyen Van Hai, 43 years old. Mr. Ngo Van Khoi used to be a member of the parish's Executive Committee, and Mr. Nguyen Van Hai is currently a catechist at the parish. Both were arrested by the authorities while they were on their way to work, and it was not until more than a week later that their families received a notice dated June 28 from the police investigation agency prosecuting and temporarily detaining them for disturbing public order." A domestic website posting content about Catholicism commented that the arrest of the two parishioners was "kidnapping in the form of terrorism", "secret arrest without reason and without notification to relatives". Considering that the above information channels all target the phrase "illegal arrest", what is a legal arrest?

Photos posted on the website show government officials sitting crowded in a corner of the room, with two people even sitting on one chair.

Regarding this incident, it is necessary to look at the matter fully and thoroughly. Previously, on May 22, 2013, these subjects, along with a number of extremists, shouted and incited the crowd to surround, beat people, causing injuries for no reason, and vandalized property, causing hundreds of millions of dong in damage at Mr. Dau Van Son's house in Nghi Phuong commune (Nghi Loc district). Immediately after the incident, the Nghe An Provincial Police Investigation Agency initiated a criminal case with 4 charges of "Disturbing public order", "Illegal detention", "Property destruction" and "Intentionally causing injury".

When arresting the suspects, the authorities acted in accordance with the provisions of Article 80 of the Criminal Procedure Law on "arresting suspects and defendants for temporary detention", such as "having an arrest warrant from the head of the investigation agency", "when arresting people at other places, there is a witness from the representative of the commune, ward or town authorities where the arrest was made"... Thus, the arrest of two parishioners who violated the law as above cannot be called "illegal arrest". At the same time, the people gathering at the People's Committee of Nghi Phuong commune to request the release of people is unreasonable for two reasons: first, the People's Committee of the commune does not have the authority to arrest, detain or release people; second, if they do not agree, people can send complaints to competent authorities, namely the Judicial authorities.

The act of surrounding the People's Committee of the commune is an act of disturbing public order. Moreover, if we think that putting pressure on the government can arrest and release people, then is the law being taken lightly and violations of the law can be "erased" without going through the procedures, processes, and agencies prescribed by law?

Speaking of “illegal arrests”, a website said that “People are still very peaceful, sitting with 5 officials of Nghi Loc commune and district in the room of Nghi Phuong commune Chairman” and “People are asking 5 officials (2 officials of Nghi Phuong commune and 3 officials of Nghi Loc district) to answer about the illegal arrest of two of their relatives”. The image posted on the website shows the government officials sitting in a corner of the room, even 2 people sitting on a chair, surrounded by a group of people with happy faces and gestures.

I wonder how this supposedly peaceful exchange and work took place when the two sides were not even “face to face” at the desk? I dare not accuse or accuse, but clearly the images recorded in the photo contradict the statement “sitting very peacefully with 5 officers...”. There are even signs of illegal detention, which is a criminal act under Article 123 of the Penal Code. This act is likely to violate many laws at the same time: first, people do not have the authority to arrest, detain, or imprison people; second, the person being detained here is a person performing official duties; third, arresting many people at the same time.

In terms of consequences, this behavior causes disorder and security, affects the reputation of the State and law enforcement officers. According to Clause 1, Article 123, Penal Code 1999 (amended and supplemented in 2009): "Anyone who illegally arrests, detains or imprisons a person shall be subject to a warning, non-custodial reform for up to two years or imprisonment from three months to two years". If the above violations and consequences are taken into account, the penalty can be up to a maximum of 10 years in prison.

In conclusion, the information that "Nghe An police illegally arrested people" is baseless. It is even deliberately trying to turn black into white, when some of the extremist and agitated parishioners in My Yen parish who are demanding "returning justice" to their relatives are the ones who have signs of violating the law (the photos recording the scene of gathering, shouting, causing disorder at the headquarters of the People's Committee of Nghi Phuong commune (Nghi Loc district) were posted by the websites themselves). The comment of RFA page "The strength of solidarity in the parish, parish and parish can help them implement measures to hold and arrest officials" is it praising and encouraging an act of violating the law? Solidarity does not mean being complicit, covering up, and blindly defending violations. It must be affirmed that: Besides belief in religion, belief in the law is also a duty of a citizen.

Hai Trieu