Nguyen Duc Thuan, Ho Pham Hiep Huy and Thai Cong Truong Son were prosecuted for alleged offences of terrorism under Clause 2, Article 299 and forging seals and documents of agencies or organisations under Clause 2, Article 341 of the Criminal Code, the Ministry of Public Security’s Security Investigation Agency said.

The Security Investigation Agency decided to initiate a criminal case on September 28, and the Supreme People’s Procuracy approved the prosecution and detention orders on the same day.

The three were caught by the My Quy Tay Border Gate Border Guard Station in Tay Ninh province at around 9:50pm on September 18 while entering Vietnam illegally from Cambodia.

According to the Ministry, Thuan was carrying two fake Vietnamese identity cards bearing the name Phan Duc Trung but displaying his photograph, as well as a Norwegian passport in the name of Nguyen Duc Thuan. Huy was carrying an Australian passport in the name of Tran Hiep.

The three were handed over, together with the case file, to the Security Investigation Agency of the Tay Ninh provincial police on September 19. The provincial agency subsequently transferred the case to the Ministry of Public Security’s Security Investigation Agency for investigation and handling within its jurisdiction.

During the investigation, the three admitted to being members of the terrorist organisation Viet Tan and to carrying forged documents when entering Vietnam illegally to conduct terrorist and sabotage activities, the Ministry said.

The Ministry of Public Security said the Security Investigation Agency is continuing to investigate the offences and will handle the case in accordance with Vietnamese law.

Viet Tan, also known as the Vietnam Reform Revolutionary Party, has been classified as a terrorist organisation by Vietnamese authorities. The organisation has been said to get involved in activities including recruiting and training members and directing activities aimed at conducting terrorism and sabotage in Vietnam. Vietnamese authorities have previously investigated and prosecuted individuals accused of carrying out terrorist activities in connection with Viet Tan.

Vietnam calls for stronger cooperation against terrorism and violent extremism

VOV.VN - Vietnam has called for stronger international cooperation to combat terrorism and violent extremism, warning that terrorist and extremist groups are increasingly exploiting cyberspace, emerging technologies, and social, ethnic and religious divisions to expand their activities.