WASHINGTON -- Radio Free Asia (RFA) today condemned the arrest of Nguyen Tuong Thuy, a Vietnamese blogger who has contributed commentary to RFA's Vietnamese Service for six years. Police reportedly accused Nguyen of "making, storing, and disseminating documents and materials for anti-state purposes." Last March, RFA contributing blogger Truong Duy Nhat was sentenced to 10 years in prison, while Nguyen Van Hoa, an RFA videographer continues to serve a seven-year jail term. RFA President Bay Fang issued the following statement:
“Radio Free Asia condemns the arrest of Nguyen Tuong Thuy, whom we learned was detained today by authorities in Hanoi. This alarming development, while intended to silence free speech, reinforces the need for independent journalism in Vietnam. We urge authorities to grant his immediate and unconditional release.”