Wife of man imprisoned in Vietnam tells Congress about her husband's plight

Helen Nguyen testifies in front of the US House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee.

ASAM NEWS

The wife of an American serving a 12 year prison sentence in Vietnam on charges of attempting to overthrow the government longs for him to come home

Helen Nguyen testified before the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia this week pleading for assistance to win freedom for her husband, Michael Phuong Minh Nguyen, reports the OC Register.

“Over a year ago, I said goodbye to my husband and I wished him a great vacation in Hong Kong and Vietnam. I expected to greet him on his flight home three weeks later,” she said.

“I didn’t expect that our initial goodbye would be the final one.”

Michael Phuong Minh Nguyen is escorted to court in Vietnam.

The Mercury News reported earlier this month that the government convicted Nguyen after a four hour trial, alleging he recruited protesters to occupy government buildings.

His family says he has never been involved in political activity. They say he went to Vietnam to visit friends. The Mercury News says he has bipartisan support from more than two dozen lawmakers.

“We all stand with you, shoulder to shoulder, as we fight for Michael’s release,” Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA) said earlier this week to his wife, according to the Register.

We’re not going to give up,” Rep Alan Lowenthal (D-CA) added.

Michael is currently appealing the length of his sentence, which could put him in jeopardy for an even longer sentence.