Profiles of Detainees

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Pastor Nguyen Hong Quang, aged 45, is the Vice President and General Secretary of the Mennonite Church in Vietnam. He is a trained lawyer and a advocate for religious freedom. He was arrested on 8th June 2004 on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City and taken to the jail at the District 2 Public Security Police Station. Police ransacked his home and office and informed his colleagues that they were charging him with "inciting others to oppose officers carrying out official duties." They confiscated four computers and numerous books and papers, including his legal files on human rights cases. He has a wife, Le Thi Phu Dung and three young children - Huy-Gideon 9, Trieu-Daniel 8, and Anne, 2 years. Mrs. Dung and their children visited Quang for one hour on 08/18/2004.

Elder Nguyen Hieu Nghia, a Mennonite elder in the house church congregation in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 2, was arrested on 2nd March 2004 when several dozen police officers armed with guns and electric cattle prods surrounded Pastor Quang's home, after Quang had discovered undercover policeman spying on him. Nghia is held without charge. His mother was first permitted to visit him on 08/24/04 for an hour.

Evangelist Nguyen Thanh Nhan, a Mennonite evangelist, was arrested on 2nd March after going to the police station following reports of the beating of his brother Nghia. Nhan was beaten unconscious by police officers. He has been held without charge. He had his first family visit 08/24/04 when his mother was permitted to visit him for one hour.

Evangelist Pham Ngoc Thach, a Mennonite evangelist, was arrested on 2nd March 2004 after going to the police station following reports of the beating of Elder Nghia. He had been with Pastor Quang when the undercover police officers were discovered. He was beaten so badly at the police station that he passed out. Afterwards police officers kicks him in the stomach, chest and groin. He is held without charge. His father was allowed a visit with him in late July.

Evangelist Nguyen Van Phuong, a Mennonite evangelist, was arrested on 2nd March 2004 after going to the police station following reports of the beating of Elder Nghia. He is married with an infant child. Phuong is held without charge. His wife was able to visit him for the first time in August.

Ms. Le Thi Hong Lien, was arrested at 4 pm on Saturday 3rd July 2004, at her home in Binh Khanh Ward, District 2 of Ho Chi Minh City, just meters from the Mennonite center where Pastor Quang lived. Her house was searched and ransacked by the police. She was taken to District 2 Police Station and held without charge. Her family was told mid-August that she is not allowed visits because she is "hard-headed and uncooperative."

It is believed that the above 6 persons are currently being held at a city police station at 4 Phan Dang Luu, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City.

Pastor Kso Ti No, pastor of the Ia Grai congregation in Gia Lai province in the Central Highlands, and head of the Gia Lai Conference which includes 48 worship locations in six districts of the province with nearly 3,000 believers, was arrested on 05/15/2004 and detained at T20 detention camp in Gia Lai province.

He is the son of the late Pastor Kso Tik (died 8/2004) and followed his father in church leadership. He has a wife and four children, and cares for his widowed mother. On 8/18/04 it was reported that the families and congregational councils of the churches have many times gone to visit evangelist KsoTiNo at the detention camp 20, but the security police have not allowed anyone to meet with him, only allowing them to leave items there for him.

Evangelist Kso Pui Naih of Plei Breng III, leader of a Mennonite church in Ia Grai district of Gia Lai province, arrested and detained with Pastor Kso Ti No on 05/15/2004.