Spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Phạm Thu Hằng at the press briefing on July 23. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam has dismissed allegations by Human Rights Watch (HRW) concerning the prosecution of five individuals linked to the publication of a book alleged to contain anti-State content.

Responding to reporters' questions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' regular press briefing on Thursday, spokeswoman Phạm Thu Hằng downright rejected the rights group's statement calling for the release of the five individuals.

"The so-called allegations made by Human Rights Watch are not worth commenting on," was Hằng's response.

The matter involves HRW's appeal regarding five people who have been prosecuted by Vietnamese authorities in connection with the book Chuyện với Thanh – Lời kể mới về ánh sáng (Stories with Thanh – A New Account of Light).

According to information previously released by the Hà Nội Police Department, investigators on July 7 prosecuted and placed in temporary detention Nguyễn Thành Nam, 65, and Trần Việt Anh, 33, for investigation under Article 117 of Việt Nam's Penal Code, which covers making, storing, distributing or disseminating information, documents or materials aimed at opposing the State of the Socialist Republic of Việt Nam.

Investigators alleged that the book, together with related videos, contained content distorting history, misrepresenting the Party's guidelines and the State's policies and laws, and insulting President Hồ Chí Minh, General Võ Nguyên Giáp and a number of Party and State leaders.

Authorities had previously ordered the suspension of the book's circulation, recalled all published copies, imposed administrative penalties on the publisher and ordered the destruction of the recalled publications.

As the investigation expanded, the Security Investigation Agency under the Hà Nội Police also prosecuted and ordered the temporary detention of Nguyễn Thúy Hằng, Director of the Writers' Association Publishing House; Đào Bá Đoàn, Editor-in-Chief; and Nguyễn Văn Yên, head of the editorial department.

According to investigators, the three were involved in editing, publishing and promoting the book. Authorities allege their actions also constitute offences under Article 117 of the Penal Code.

23 domestic press agencies have also been sanctioned for editorial and reporting violations related to their coverage of the book Chuyện với Thanh.

The Security Investigation Agency said the case remains under investigation and will be handled in accordance with Vietnamese law. — VNS