Đoàn Bảo Châu, charged with "producing, storing, disseminating or propagandising information, documents and items aimed at opposing the Socialist Republic of Việt Nam". VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — The People's Court of Hà Nội on August 3 held a first-instance public trial in absentia for Đoàn Bảo Châu, who was charged with "producing, storing, disseminating or propagandising information, documents and items aimed at opposing the Socialist Republic of Việt Nam" under Point b, Clause 1, Article 117 of the 2015 Penal Code.

According to the indictment issued by the Hà Nội People's Procuracy, on May 2, 2024, the Investigation Security Agency under the Hà Nội Department of Public Security received reports that Châu (born in 1968, residing in Giảng Võ ward, Hà Nội), appeared in livestreams on the BBC Vietnamese YouTube channel and his personal Facebook account, "Chau Doan", delivering content distorting and defaming the people's administration, fabricating information that caused public anxiety, and conducting psychological warfare.

On April 24, 2025, the agency initiated criminal proceedings. On June 30, 2025, it prosecuted Châu on the above charge. However, he absconded, prompting police to issue a wanted notice on July 25, 2025.

Investigators determined that Châu created, managed and operated the "Chau Doan" Facebook account. Between 2016 and 2021, he livestreamed and posted video clips containing what authorities described as psychological warfare propaganda and fabricated information intended to create public anxiety and oppose the State and the administration.

A forensic assessment concluded that six of Châu's video clips contained content described as "psychological warfare propaganda and fabricated information causing public anxiety" as well as materials that "distorted facts, slandered and insulted the reputation of organisations and the honour and dignity of individuals."

During the investigation, Châu admitted that the voice and images in the clips were his but denied having any intention of opposing the State. He later fled.

Before the trial, the Hà Nội People's Court called on Châu to surrender in order to benefit from the leniency of the law and to appear in court to exercise his right to self-defence. As he failed to do so, the court proceeded with the trial in absentia in accordance with the law.

The trial panel held that Châu's actions are dangerous to society, infringe upon national security, undermine the stability and sustainable development of the socialist system, and adversely affect public order and safety. It therefore ruled that bringing him to trial and imposing a strict sentence was necessary.

The court sentenced him to seven years' imprisonment, with the prison term to commence upon his arrest and enforcement of the sentence. In addition, he was sentenced to five years of probationary supervision following his prison term.

Châu has the right to appeal the verdict within 15 days of receiving a copy of the judgment or of its public posting, in accordance with the law. — VNA/VNS