Vietnam jails 22 activists for subversion
Vietnam sentenced 22 activists to lengthy jail terms ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment on Monday, in one of the country’s largest subversion trials for years.
Vietnam on Monday sentenced 22 activists to lengthy jail terms ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment, a defence lawyer said, in one of the country’s largest subversion trials for years.
The harsh punishments are part of an escalating crackdown on dissent by the communist regime, which has triggered growing international concern.
The 22 defendants were convicted of trying to overthrow the government, lawyer Nguyen Huong Que said – a charge that rights groups say is routinely laid against peaceful activists in the communist nation.
“The court gave the ringleader Phan Van Thu a life sentence, while the other 21 defendants were given between 10 and 17 years. The 21 defendants were also given up to five years house arrest after their terms end,” Que told reporters.
“At the trial, most of the defendants admitted their crime of aiming to overthrow the people’s administration,” said the lawyer, who was appointed by the court to defend the accused at the trial, which lasted just over a week.
“The sentences are adequate for their crimes,” he added.