VRNs * Translated by Jasmine Tran (Danlambao) - From Saigon, teacher Dinh Dang Dinh’s daughter has informed VRNs of his health status: “Yesterday (02/10/2013) my mother was informed my father is suffering from cancer spreading to the nodes, which hasn’t yet reached the liver or the lungs. My father already knew of this but he has been optimistic and told my mother he hoped that the cancer would be only in its first stage.”
“In the past few days my father has started to eat again; he has tried some porridge but could not eat much, a bowl of porridge must be divided into small portions for him to finish it.” Ms Thao added.
Mr Dinh had an operation on August the 19th at 30/4 Hospital.
He is now at the general surgery ward, Level 6, Room 608, 30/4 Hospital. The 30/4 hospital in Saigon, belonging to the General Logistics - Technic Department of the Police Department, is the leading, first class general hospital, of the Police force of the South. Previously, it was a medical clinic for the National Security Force of the South, Unit of the People’s Armed Force.
In Dinh’s room, 5 security officers are on intensive guard all day and night.
Teacher Dinh has written articles related to the Bauxite mining in the Central Highlands, articles asking for democracy and a multiparty system, and raised his voice for farmers whose lands were unlawfully seized. Due to this he was convicted under Article 88 of Vietnam’s Criminal Code by the communist government, who accused him of “conducting propaganda against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam”.
In the Trial court on August the 9th, 2012, Dinh was sentenced 6 years imprisonment and that sentence was not changed at the Appellate Court on November the 21st, 2012, in Dak Nong Court.
Teacher Dinh used to be an Army officer of the Republic of Vietnam. Afterwards he became a chemistry teacher in Le Quy Don High School in Dak Nong.
Source: VRNs.
Translated by Jasmine Tran
