June 26, 2003

Laotians Arrested with Journalists Identified

Laos (FFC) While LPDR officials still refuse to disclose the name of the Lao citizens arrested with journalists, Thierry Falise and Vincent Reynaud, and American Pastor Naw Karl Mua, Fact Finding Commission sources in Laos have identified them as Thao Moua, Char Yang and Pa Hue Khang.  Earlier reports from Amnesty International had identified Khang as the driver scheduled to pick up the others as they emerged from the jungle.  FFC sources confirmed Amnesty's report. 
The journalists, who were researching a report on the conditions of ethnic Hmong in the mountains of Laos, and their companions, were escorted out of the jungle by a group of armed Hmong resistance.  Unconfirmed reports indicate the armed "Freedom Fighters" left the group at a pre-designated pick up point and returned to the jungle.  According to these reports Moua and Yang were hiding with Falise, Reynaud, and Mua. While awaiting the arrival of Khang they were confronted by two members of the local militia.   This was about 11:00 PM.  When the five (all unarmed) attempted to escape one of the militia fired his rifle accidentally hitting the other militia. 
(FFC notes that while this report seemingly contradicts earlier reports that a fire-fight occurred between resistance forces and the militia, it is consistent with Falise and Reynaud's statement to Canadian backpacker, Patrick Foisy, that the armed Freedom Fighters had left them.  FFC also notes that while this report is consistent with LPDR statements that a militia member was killed,  Falise and Reynaud's report contradicts the LPDR statements.  Instead they reported an ethnic Hmong that was traveling with them was killed.  This is consistent with the first report received by FFC  on June 9, 2003 that a member of the journalists group had been killed.  The full story will not be known until the group is released from prison in Laos.)
The report indicated the surviving militia returned to his village and for a period of time the group avoided arrest.  The five were separated as they attempted to escape.  The report indicates one of the westerners; presumably Naw Karl Mua was captured.  A short time later (12:45 AM)  Moua and Yang surrendered.     Reports to  Foisy by the journalists indicate they were separated from Mua, Moua, and Yang prior to their arrest.  Accoding to their statement to  Foisy they were arrested the following morning as they were walking down a highway.  Khang never did make contact with the group and was arrested separate from the others.  One source stated the six, while being held at the city of Phousavan,  Xiang Khoang Province were stripped of their clothes and beaten with a bicycle chain while being questioned prior to their transfer to Phonthong Prison near Vientaine.
Sources in Phousavan report LPDR officials searched the home of Thao Moua who lives there.  The reports do not indicate where in Laos Char Yang lives.