Vietnamese police have arrested the owner of a Facebook account for posting false information and inciting public opposition to Government Decree 168, which stipulates stricter administrative penalties for road traffic violations.

The Hanoi police department on Thursday announced that they had detained and prosecuted Dau Thi Tam, a 45-year-old resident of Hoang Mai District in the capital, for spreading false and inciting information on her Facebook page ‘Dau Thanh Tam.’

According to Vietnamese authorities, Tam is being investigated under the country’s Penal Code for ‘abusing democratic freedoms to infringe upon the interests of the state, lawful rights, and interests of organizations and/or citizens.’

The arrest warrant and prosecution decision against Tam had been officially approved by the Hanoi People’s Procuracy.

Investigators disclosed that following the issuance of Decree 168 on December 26, 2024, which took effect on January 1, 2025, Tam published several misleading videos regarding the decree.

These videos allegedly spread misinformation, stirred public confusion, and encouraged opposition to the new regulations.

Decree 168 introduces significantly higher fines for violations contributing to traffic accidents, aiming to enhance road safety across the country.

Hanoi police, in collaboration with other relevant authorities, launched an investigation to verify Tam's actions.

Their findings led to her arrest for further investigation and potential legal proceedings.

Prior to this incident, Tam was also accused of using her Facebook and TikTok accounts to post misleading and defamatory content regarding medical treatments at certain hospitals in Hanoi.

She allegedly slandered and insulted government agencies and officials.

Authorities noted that before her arrest, Tam was known for distributing free meals and food to people near the Tam Hiep facility of K Hospital, a cancer treatment institution, in Hanoi.

However, she had also been involved in scuffles with others in the area.

The Ministry of Public Security’s Traffic Police Department emphasized the importance of Decree 168, which seeks to address low awareness of traffic laws and inadequate penalties for violations.

By imposing stricter fines, the decree aims to deter traffic infractions and reduce accidents and casualties.

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