Vietnam state media has confirmed the arrest of the director of an unbiased power coverage thinktank – the sixth knowledgeable engaged on environmental points to be taken into custody up to now two years.
A rights group reported final month that Ngo Thi To Nhien, govt director of the Hanoi-based Vietnam Initiative for Vitality Transition (Viet), had been detained, though on the time there was no official affirmation.
Nhien is a researcher who has labored with a variety of worldwide organisations together with the World Financial institution, the European Union, the United Nations and the Asian Improvement Financial institution.
On Sunday, state media reported police had issued an arrest warrant on 20 September over prices of “appropriating paperwork”.
“The safety investigation company of Hanoi metropolis police issued … an arrest warrant to Ngo Thi To Nhien,” a authorities spokesperson, To An Xo, informed a press convention late on Saturday, state media reported.
Ought to she be charged, she faces as much as up 5 years in jail, in response to the nation’s legal code.
Two different individuals, Le Duc Anh and Duong Quoc Viet, had been additionally arrested.
Nhien was engaged on the implementation plan for Vietnam’s simply power transition partnership (JETP), a $15bn G7-funded undertaking to assist wean Vietnam off fossil fuels, in response to freedom of expression group the 88 Undertaking final month.
Information of Nhien’s arrest comes solely days after Vietnam jailed main local weather activist Hoang Thi Minh Hong for tax evasion, upsetting worldwide criticism.
The nation has dedicated to reaching internet zero carbon emissions by 2050, and a bunch of rich nations final yr pledged to boost at the very least $15.5bn to assist get the nation off fossil fuels.
However the authorities tolerates no opposition to one-party rule, with critics dealing with intimidation, harassment and restricted motion, and it has proven little urge for food for dissenting voices on environmental points.
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