Criminal detention of 2 subjects assaulting reporters

On the afternoon of June 7, Dong Da District Police (Hanoi) announced that they had decided to temporarily detain Pham Van Phuong (born 1981) - the shop owner and Le Van Hung (born 1984) - an employee of Khanh Phuong fan shop, in O Cho Dua ward, Dong Da district (Hanoi), to investigate the act of intentionally causing injury.

A group of people assaulted a reporter. Photo cut from a clip of Hanoi Television.

Police identified Pham Van Phuong - owner of Khanh Phuong fan shop and Le Van Hung - store employee as the subjects who assaulted a reporter from Hanoi Radio and Television on the afternoon of June 6.

Previously, at around 2:25 p.m. on June 6, when a group of reporters from Hanoi Radio and Television were preparing to deploy cameras to record the sale of rechargeable fans on the sidewalk in front of the electric fan store at 19 Dong Cac (O Cho Dua area, Dong Da district), a subject rushed out and demanded that they not film or take photos.

Despite being told that the work area was underground, in a place where there were no signs prohibiting filming or taking photos, the subject still loudly yelled, grabbed the TTC cameraman by the collar and knocked him down.

After that, another person also joined in the assault. Even when someone intervened and Mr. C. was lying on the road, these two subjects continued to aggressively punch and kick. Even when Mr. C. was taken by his colleagues to the car of Hanoi Radio and Television, these subjects still followed the car and threatened him.

The reporters reported the incident to the police of O Cho Dua ward, Dong Da district and took reporter C. to the hospital for emergency treatment due to multiple injuries.

Immediately afterwards, the police of O Cho Dua ward took one of the subjects who assaulted reporter C. to the headquarters for questioning. The other subject fled but also turned himself in that same evening.

Given the seriousness of the case, O Cho Dua Ward Police handed over the two suspects to Dong Da District Police to consolidate the case file and handle it strictly.

Dong Da District Police have reported to the Hanoi City Police Department to immediately take legal action against the thugs.

Hanoi Radio and Television has requested the authorities to verify, clarify the incident and strictly handle the hooliganism and disregard for the law of those who assaulted reporters, and take necessary measures to protect journalists while they are working in accordance with the law.