January 14, 2008
HANOI - An international media rights watchdog Saturday called on Vietnam to free a Thai journalist arrested with a group of pro-democracy activists in Vietnam almost two months ago.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said it was "gravely concerned" about the November 17 arrest and continued detention of Somsak Khunmi, 58, a news assistant with the US- and Japan-based Chan Troi Moi (Radio New Horizon).
Somsak is the only remaining foreign detainee of a group of journalists and activists, also including US and French citizens, linked to the banned Viet Tan pro-democracy party who were arrested in November in Ho Chi Minh City, according to AFP.
Vietnam has accused the California-based Viet Tan (Vietnam Reform) of "terrorism" but in December freed the foreign activists after protests by Washington and Paris.
The New York-based CPJ said Vietnam had "failed to lodge any formal, evidence-based charges" against Somsak and had only allowed Thai consular staff one visit so far, while the prisoner's health was reportedly deteriorating.
