Friends and family of William Nguyen, the Vietnamese American last seen taken away bloodied by police during a protest in Vietnam, are criticizing the State Department for not doing more to win his release.
“There is no sense of urgency among [the State Department]. They don’t work together,” Nguyen’s sister Victoria Nguyen said to The Washington Post.
The Strait Times is reporting that Nguyen has appeared on state television in Vietnam pledging not to take part in future rallies.
“I understand that my acts violated (the law)… I regret that I caused trouble for people heading to the airport. I blocked traffic and caused trouble to my family and friends.”
“I will not join any anti-state activities any more.”
Nguyen participated in a rally protesting special economic zones which would give developers 99 year leases.
Friends of Nguyen believe he was at the wrong place at the wrong time and did not intend to participate in the protests.
The Human Rights Watch Asia division predicts Nguyen will be released soon.
“Given that he has given a confession that was likely extracted under duress, I expect that Vietnam will likely release and deport him, and unfortunately blacklist him from ever entering the country again,” he said to the Strait Times.
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