Vietnam jails dissident for ‘reactionary’ Facebook posts that criticised state surveillance and long leases for foreign investors
- Le Minh The was sentenced to two years in prison for ‘abusing democratic freedoms’ in the conservative communist state
A Vietnamese activist was sentenced to two years in prison on Wednesday for “abusing democratic freedoms” in the conservative communist state that has seen an uptick in dissident detentions under a hardline leadership.
Le Minh The was convicted for a series of Facebook posts following a half-day trial in southern Can Tho province, state media reported.
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He “deliberately posted and distributed reactionary propaganda information online, inciting, instigating and instructing others to protest and riot to overthrow the authorities”, according to Cong An Nhan Dan, the official mouthpiece of the Public Security Ministry.
He also live-streamed content that “defamed the party and the state (and) aimed to undermine the unity of the people”, the news site added.
He was sentenced to two years in jail for “abusing democratic freedoms”.