Vietnam student activist jailed for six years over anti-state blogs, YouTube videos
Scores of dissidents are already behind bars in the communist state
A Vietnamese student was sentenced Wednesday to six years in prison for anti-state propaganda, as the government tightens its grip on critics before an Asia-Pacific summit in the country next month.
Scores of dissidents are already behind bars in the communist state, and rights groups say 2017 has been a particularly harsh year for activists with a spate of arrests and heavy jail sentences.
Phan Kim Khanh, 24, was sentenced for anti-state activities, his lawyer told AFP, blasting the trial as “biased”.
“The court decided to put him in jail for six years and another four years on probation afterwards,” Ha Huy Son said.
Khanh was arrested in March during his final year of an international studies degree at Thai Nguyen University in northern Vietnam.
He reportedly ran several blogs and YouTube channels where he voiced opinions on corruption and politics.
Son said his client was calm in court Wednesday as he apologised for what he had done.