The Newshound

Vietnam accused of abducting Australian and Norwegian human rights activists on fabricated terrorism charges

From the Newshound archive · first published 29 September 2026 · last updated 30 September 2026.

Members of Viet Tan, the pro-democracy group whose members Vietnam has accused of crossing from Cambodia to commit terrorist acts — charges the group says are fabricated to disguise transnational repression.
Members of Viet Tan, the pro-democracy group whose members Vietnam has accused of crossing from Cambodia to commit terrorist acts — charges the group says are fabricated to disguise transnational repression.

Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security has announced the arrest of three men on terrorism charges, including Melbourne anti-trafficking campaigner Tran Hiep, 50, and a Norwegian activist, after they allegedly crossed from Cambodia. Pro-democracy group Viet Tan, which the Vietnamese government labels a terrorist organisation, says its members were abducted in Cambodia and the charges are fabricated to disguise an act of transnational repression. Hiep's wife Chloe Dang had been waiting for him in Bangkok since he vanished on 18 September and has pleaded with the Australian government to bring him home.

Vietnam alleges the three men crossed into the country on false documents with the intention of committing terrorist acts, and that all three confessed to being Viet Tan members.

Tran Hiep founded the Australian Alliance to Combat Human Trafficking and had been in Phnom Penh to meet human rights defenders before he went missing.

Chloe Dang said: 'My husband deserves protection, and I really hope the Australian government will continue to put pressure on Cambodia.'

MoreDaily Mail AUAussie is 'abducted' in Cambodia before meeting up with his wifeReutersVietnam arrests three on terrorism charges, including Norwegian and Australian citizensChannelDrawTran Hiep: An Australian Human Rights Activist Disappears in Cambodia and Reappears in Vietnamese Custody - ChannelDrawNine.com.auTran Hiep: Australian human rights activist feared abducted in Cambodia - Nine.com.auBBCViet Tan: Rights group accuses Vietnam of abducting Australian, Norwegian activists - BBCThe IndependentVietnam accused of abducting Norwegian and Australian human rights activists
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