In Vietnam four men were arrested in June and charged with spreading spreading anti-government propaganda.
Le Cong Dinh, a human rights attorney, best known for defending Vietnamese interests in the selling of cheap catfish against charges brought by US catfish farmers.
Tran Huynh Duy Thuc, a man described as an internet entrepreneur.
Nguyen Tien Trung, the leader of the Assembly of Vietnamese Youth for Democracy.
Le Thang Long, a member of the “Chan research group.” –In his “defense?” Le Thang Long produced 29 documents, 13 of which contained information describing plans to encourage the people to overthrow the government.
Early this month state prosecutors dropped the propaganda charges and the men were charged instead with subversion, which carries a maximum possible sentence of death.
After a day-long trial, all four men were convicted of “activities aimed at subverting the people’s administration”. With sentences ranging from five years for Le Cong Dinh to sixteen years for Tran Huynh Duy Thuc.
Four men tried and convicted under differing parts of the penal code, with one trial lasting one day. Now that’s efficient.
Read more here.
