Pham Minh Hoang is a human rights defender, university professor, blogger and a member of the pro-democracy organization, Viet Tan. Under the pen name, Phan Kien Quoc, Pham Minh Hoang wrote dozens of commentaries on issues such as human rights, the environment, and corruption. In 2011, he was sentenced to three years imprisonment under Article 79 of the Criminal Code, on false charges of attempting to overthrow the government, but was released after 17 months and ordered to serve three years' house arrest. Since his release in 2012, Hoang has conducted trainings for youth regarding human rights and Vietnamese law. On 10 June 2017, French-Vietnamese human rights defender, Pham Minh Hoang, received a copy of a stamped letter from President Tran Dai Quang confirming the "removal of[his] Vietnamese citizenship". According to the letter dated 17 May 2017, the decision was based on article 88 of the Criminal Code, which criminalises propaganda against the state, and article 91, which outlaws moving abroad with a view to opposing the government. The revocation of Pham Minh Hoang's citizenship renders his status illegal in Vietnam and he is now at risk of deportation. UPDATE: On 23 June 2017, he was arrested in Ho Chi Minh City after losing his appeal against deportation. On 24 June 2017, he has been deported to France after losing his nationality of birth.