Vietnam Presses Germany Over Activists' Alleged Online Crimes

Vietnam Demands Germany Act Against Two Over Online 'State Security' Violations

Vietnam, the country at the center of the dispute, has called on Germany to take action against two individuals, Lê Trung Khoa and Nguyễn Văn Đài, accused of spreading harmful information online. The two are alleged to have violated Vietnamese law by using the website Thoibao.de to undermine state security and public order. Authorities in Hanoi insist their request follows legal procedures and international standards.

The Vietnamese government argues that freedom of expression does not protect acts that incite hatred, distort facts, or threaten national stability. Officials have stressed that those responsible must face consequences under the law.

According to Vietnamese judicial and law enforcement agencies, Lê Trung Khoa and Nguyễn Văn Đài have repeatedly shared content that defames leaders, stirs public frustration, and encourages opposition to the administration. Investigations found their activities on Thoibao.de disrupted social order and posed risks to political security. Vietnam's 2015 Penal Code, specifically Article 117, explicitly bans the creation or dissemination of material that harms the state's interests or ideological unity.

Vietnam's 2013 Constitution and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) both recognise freedom of speech and press. However, these rights come with limits—particularly when expressions threaten national security, public order, or individual reputations. Authorities have emphasised that inciting division, insulting officials, or inviting foreign interference falls outside legal protections.

Despite Vietnam's formal request, German officials have not acted against Thoibao.de or the two individuals. As of February 2026, the Federal Foreign Office and Interior Ministry maintained that German law protects freedom of expression, leaving no legal basis for extradition, expulsion, or shutting down the website. This stance has drawn criticism from Vietnamese public opinion, which demands stronger measures to uphold justice and legal discipline.

The case has sparked broader debates about the balance between free speech and national security. While Vietnam insists on accountability for violations, Germany's position reflects its legal framework, creating a diplomatic standoff over how to address cross-border digital offences.

Vietnam continues to push for cooperation from Germany in handling the alleged violations by Khoa and Đài. The dispute highlights differing interpretations of free speech protections under international and domestic laws. For now, the website remains active, and the two individuals face no legal action in Germany.

Domestically, Vietnamese authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to prosecuting those who exploit freedoms to destabilise the country. The outcome of this case may influence future cross-border legal challenges involving digital platforms and political expression.