Police investigate torture of two fishermen after video footage surfaces

The Tran Van Thoi District People's Committee said Thursday that authorities only came to know of Truong Van Trung, 47, and Le Van Binh, 30, being beaten after the video footage came online.

On January 4, a vessel owned by Pham Thi Ha went fishing in a local river. Among the seven crew members at the time were Nguyen Van Ty, Nguyen Cong Toan and Nguyen Van Hung – the assailants.

On May 23, Trung was beaten badly by Toan, Ty and Hung. They used pincers to remove his teeth and damaged his lips and various other body parts. Binh was beaten by Toan and Hung the day after using the same methods.

On May 28 and May 30, Trung and Binh reported the matter to the police. However, they did not seek to file criminal charges, asking only for compensation to cover their medical costs.

Last Tuesday, video footage of Trung and Binh being beaten and tortured began circulating on social media.

Police said they have asked Ha and the rest of the crew members to return to shore many times, but he has not done so.