Vietnam gives harsh jail terms to 6 activists for subversion

In this April 5, 2018 photo, prominent human rights lawyer Nguyen Van Dai, center, and defendant Nguyen Bac Truyen listen to the verdict at a trial in Hanoi.
Nguyen Van Mieng, the lawyer for prominent human rights lawyer Nguyen Van Dai said he was sentenced to 15 years in prison and five years of house arrest while his fellow activists received sentences from seven to 12 years at the one-day trial Thursday. (Vietnam News Agency via AP) 

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Six human rights activists were sentenced to harsh prison terms in Vietnam after being convicted of attempting to overthrow the government by advocating a multiparty democracy.

Prominent human rights lawyer Nguyen Van Dai received the most severe penalty of 15 years in prison and five years of house arrest at the one-day trial Thursday, said his lawyer Nguyen Van Mieng. The others received sentences from seven to 12 years.

They were charged with affiliating with a group called Brotherhood for Democracy, whose purpose was to change the leadership of the Communist Party and build a multiparty system. Tiếp tục đọc “Vietnam gives harsh jail terms to 6 activists for subversion – Phạt tù 6 bị cáo về tội Hoạt động nhằm lật đổ chính quyền nhân dân” →