Key Events

• Thai Court Accedes to Hanoi’s Extradition Request of Montagnard Activist Y Quynh Bdap, But Quynh Can Still Stay in Thailand for 30 days
• UN Special Rapporteur Raises Concerns over Police Invitation of Nguyen Quang A for Questioning
• Dong Nai Police Arrest Two Individuals with Alleged Connection to ‘Provisional Government of Vietnam’
• 10 Quang Ngai Fishermen Injured After Attacks by Chinese Vessels

Thai Court Accedes to Hanoi’s Extradition Request of Montagnard Activist Y Quynh Bdap; He Still Has 30 Days in Thailand To File an Appeal

In an administrative detention hearing, a Thai court in Bangkok ruled on Sept. 30 that Vietnam’s extradition request to have Montagnard activist Y Quynh Bdap sent back to Vietnam to serve his 10-year imprisonment on terrorism charges. Vietnam tried Y Quynh Bdap in absentia in January 2024, alleging that he was the mastermind behind the armed attacks that happened on June 11, 2024, in the Central Highlands, Dak Lak Province. Bdap, 32, is a recognized refugee who fled to Thailand in 2018.

Nadthasiri Bergman, Bdap’s defense lawyer, told the Associated Press that her client will file his appeal on the extradition ruling in 30 days. Because the case against Bdap came from the extradition request of Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bergman added that the final resolution depends mainly on the Thai government since they could diplomatically decide not to extradite the Montagnard activist if it found that his human rights would be violated. Bergman raised concerns over the risks Bdap could encounter should he be sent back and said that if Thailand’s prime minister protects Bdap’s human rights, she could order a stay on the extradition at any time.