Australian retiree accused of terrorism freed from prison in Vietnam: Democracy activist released after serving sentence

Australian retiree Chau Van Kham has been released from prison in Vietnam, where he was serving a 12-year sentence on terrorism charges for being a member of a banned pro-democracy group. The release was granted on humanitarian grounds and as a result of advocacy by the Australian government. Kham's arrest in 2019 was based on his membership with Viet Tan, a group listed as a terrorist organization by the Vietnamese government. Amnesty International has criticized Vietnam for detaining over 150 political prisoners, and calls for the release of all prisoners who express dissenting views.