The wife of imprisoned Vietnamese-Australian Van Kham Chau has questioned whether more would have been done to free her husband if he was a "white Australian" in a searing letter to Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
Earlier this month, a Vietnamese court sentenced Van Kham Chau, who is an Australian citizen, to 12 years in prison for "terrorism".
Mr Chau, 70, is a member of Viet Tan, a group dedicated to pushing for democracy throughout Vietnam which the country's government considers a "terrorist" organisation.
His wife Quynh Trang Truong has written to the prime minister to express her disappointment with the Australian government's response.
"While I understand your diplomatic position, one would have to wonder if my husband were a white Australian that the intervention might not be so weak or reluctant to date," she wrote in the letter dated 20 November.
Ms Truong renewed her appeal for more help, noting his unexpected election victory in May.
"I continue to have faith in you, your leadership and capability to successfully save my 70- year-old husband from what has been largely perceived as the equivalent to a death sentence to him," she added.
Her strongly-worded letter was sparked by Mr Morrison's response to her original request for assistance, in which Mr Morrison acknowledged that Ms Truong was "likely disappointed with the outcome" of her husband's case.
He said the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade was closely tracking the case and will continue to provide regular consular assistance.
"The Australian Government cannot intervene in another country's legal matters or court proceedings, or law enforcement investigations. As with all arrest and prisoner matters overseas, Australians are subject to the laws of the country they are in," the PM wrote in his letter to Ms Truong.
Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security has accused the Mr Chau of raising funds for anti-state activities, joining anti-Vietnam protests in Australia and recruiting new members to Viet Tan.
The family are pursuing all avenues of appeal, but a statement from the Chau Family's lawyers said he is being denied legal representation.
The statement reiterated demands for the prime minister of the foreign minister to intervene.
"Whilst the Australian government is interested in Mr Chau's case and provides consular assistance, what robust actions are being taken by the government to protect its citizen?"
