Wife of Aussie ‘abducted’ in Cambodia 11 days ago reveals he is being held as a political prisoner
Australian human rights advocate Tran Hiep has been located in a Vietnamese detention centre after disappearing while travelling through Cambodia. His wife says she is relieved to know where he is, but remains concerned about his safety and wants him to meet Australian consular officials.
Vietnamese authorities say Hiep, 51, and two other activists were detained on 18 September while allegedly crossing from Cambodia, and accuse them of terrorist and sabotage activities and document forgery. Hiep’s wife had expected to meet him in Bangkok; he had travelled to Phnom Penh to meet Vietnamese dissidents. A UN report has described poor conditions at the detention centre, while activists say Vietnam holds about 160 political prisoners.
- Tran Hiep is being held in a Vietnamese detention centre.
- His wife says she is relieved but still worried.
- Authorities accuse him and two others of illegal activities.
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Tran Hiep is a 51-year-old Australian human rights advocate who went missing whilst travelling through Cambodia in September and has now been located in a Vietnamese detention centre. He had travelled to Phnom Penh to meet Vietnamese dissidents and was meant to reunite with his wife in Bangkok when he disappeared.
Vietnamese authorities say Hiep was detained on 18 September whilst attempting to cross from Cambodia, along with two other activists. They accuse him of terrorist and sabotage activities and document forgery, though human rights activists dispute these allegations. Hiep's wife has confirmed his whereabouts but remains concerned about his treatment and wants him to receive a visit from Australian consular officials.
Vietnam holds a significant number of political prisoners, with activist groups estimating around 160 are currently detained. A recent United Nations report documented poor conditions in some facilities, raising international concern about Hiep's safety.