In a surprise move, the Vietnamese government released political prisoner Tran Huynh Duy Thuc eight months before his scheduled release. Thuc, one of Vietnam’s most prominent democracy activists, was set to complete his 16-year prison sentence in 2025. His family announced his early release on Sept. 20, 2024, which is significant for the country’s human rights advocates as he will stay in Vietnam and not have to be in exile.

Thuc was initially arrested in May 2009 on charges of “conducting activities aimed at overthrowing the people’s administration” under Article 79 of Vietnam’s penal code. He was convicted and sentenced on January 20, 2010, to 16 years in prison, followed by five years of house arrest. As a prominent businessman turned political blogger, Thuc used his platform to advocate for democratic reforms and call for human rights improvements in Vietnam. His arrest was widely criticized by international human rights organizations, who viewed the charges as politically motivated.