CU JUT DISTRICT, Vietnam — A Hmong church leader in the Cu Jut District of Vietnam has been beaten to death in police custody, area sources said.
Police beat Vam Ngaij Vaj around his neck and shoulders and likely used electric shock on him, resulting in his death March 17, said a church leader who spoke with those who viewed the battered corpse.
Vaj and his wife were clearing brush from their field when they were arrested for “illegally destroying the forest” March 16. Hmong churches in the Central Highlands often report harassment by a communist regime that views Christianity as a threat, and the spurious charge of “destroying forest” on their own property was consistent with such harassment.
The husband and wife were transported to a police station and placed in separate cells, Christian sources said. That night Vaj was savagely beaten and tortured by police and the next day local authorities informed his younger brother that he had died.
A photo of Vaj’s neck and shoulders show signs of severe trauma. Those who saw the corpse said they suspected electric shock had been used, consistent with the announced cause of death.
In sending out this news about the murder, Hmong Christian leaders risked their welfare by asking for international intervention in hopes of some justice.
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