Police in Da Lat confirmed on Tuesday the information that a Russian man was arrested in the capital city of Lam Dong Province, located in Vietnam’s Central Highlands region, for protesting Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine was untrue, the Vietnam News Agency reported.

The city police averred that they had summoned Propisnov Alexander, a Russian national born in 1981, on Sunday to work on the validity of his passport and visa.

Although Alexander’s passport and visa had expired, he remained at accommodation establishments in Da Lat without renewing the papers, which violated Vietnam’s regulations on exit, entry, transit, residence, and travel.

After the working session, Alexander was aware of his wrongdoing and went to Ho Chi Minh City, where the Consulate General of Russia is located, to complete the passport and visa extension procedures.

Meanwhile, the Da Lat police discovered that many online sites had circulated distorted information related to the Russian national’s case, saying that police officers arrested him for holding a banner at the Lam Vien Square to oppose Russia’s attack on Ukraine.

The city police warned that individuals who share unverified or untrue information related to Alexander’s situation will be handled in accordance with the law.

Vietnamese law stipulates that people who put up false content online can be subject to administrative sanctions. 

In case of causing serious consequences through such acts, violators will be criminally charged in accordance with the 2015 Penal Code on the crime of “illegally circulating or using information on social and telecommunications networks,” with the highest penalty being either a fine from VND200 million (US$8,709) to VND1 billion ($43,547) or 2-7 years in prison.

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