Vietnam dissident singer Mai Khoi detained at Hanoi airport after Europe tour
Often dubbed a Vietnamese version of ‘Pussy Riot’ because of her activism, Mai Khoi was among dozens of dissidents on a watch list for her strong words against the system
Vietnamese singer and activist Do Nguyen Mai Khoi, an outspoken campaigner for free speech, was detained in the capital Hanoi on Tuesday after flying home from Europe, her husband said.
Often dubbed a Vietnamese version of “Pussy Riot” or Lady Gaga because of her activism and provocative style, Mai Khoi was among dozens of dissidents on the watch list of Communist-ruled Vietnam for her strong words against the system.
“When Mai Khoi landed at Noi Bai airport, at 9:15am this morning, she texted me to say: ‘Love, I just landed’,” Mai Khoi’s Australian husband, Benjamin Swanton, posted on her Facebook page, which has some 46,000 followers.
“At 9:39am, she texted another message: ‘Detained’.” Swanton wrote.
Swanton said he had not been able to contact Mai Khoi since. Calls to authorities at Noi Bai International airport and Mai Khoi’s mobile phone went unanswered.
“We have been evicted from our house three times now,” Swanton said.