Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Vietnam court upholds jail for two dissidents
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Vietnam court upholds jail for two dissidents
AFP - Wednesday, May 12
Send
IM Story
Print
Vietnam court upholds jail for two dissidents
HANOI (AFP) - – A Vietnamese appeals court on Tuesday upheld jail terms for two high-profile dissidents convicted of attempted subversion but cut another man's sentence after his dramatic appeal for clemency, legal sources said.
The court in southern Ho Chi Minh City confirmed a 16-year sentence for Internet entrepreneur Tran Huynh Duy Thuc and five years for human rights lawyer Le Cong Dinh, a court source said.
But the sentence of a third dissident, Le Thang Long, was reduced to three and a half years from the original five, the source said.
After initially telling the appeals court that his sentence was unjust, Long later demanded clemency, his lawyer Nguyen Minh Tam told AFP.
The case of the three dissidents, and a fourth man who did not appeal, was originally heard in January.
It was the most prominent in a series of arrests and convictions of dissidents and bloggers over the past year, and triggered criticism from the United States, European Union and Britain.
Foreign diplomats and journalists were denied access to the appeal.
The dissidents were convicted over a well-organised non-violent campaign, in collusion with "overseas exile reactionary organisations" aimed at overthrowing the government with the help of the Internet.
At the original trial, Long testified that he and Thuc were part of a group that discussed socio-economic issues and ways to "develop the country". He admitted writing articles and sending them to a foreign radio service but said what he discussed was "within my citizen's rights".
After at first criticising his sentence before the appeals court, Long "totally changed his attitude", his lawyer told AFP.
Long admitted violating the Penal Code article on attempted subversion and asked for clemency, Tam said.
Another appellant, Thuc, argued that his 16-year sentence was unjust "by presenting arguments to prove that he is a victim", Tam added.
At their January trial, the prosecution cited both Thuc and Long for their defiance before the court.
The prosecution said Thuc set up a group that concluded Vietnam would be struck by economic crisis this year, presenting a good opportunity for political change.
He admitted he signed a confession saying he had called for a multi-party system but he alleged he was "mistreated" during the investigation process.
One analyst said Thuc's 16-year sentence appeared to be the longest given to a political dissident in more than 10 years.
The third appellant, Dinh, presented no new evidence to the appeals court, but simply asked for a reduction in his sentence, said his wife, Nguyen Thi Ngoc Khanh.
At the lower-court trial, Dinh testified he had been influenced by Western human rights ideals and he believed that none of the accused had any real intention of overthrowing the government.
A fourth dissident, French-trained computer expert and blogger Nguyen Tien Trung, was jailed for seven years at the same trial.
Trung did not appeal.
Analysts, rights groups and diplomats have described a worsening human rights situation in Vietnam, where at least 20 activists have been jailed since October.
New York-based Human Rights Watch had called on the appeals court to reverse the convictions of Dinh, Thuc and Long.
"These activists and scores of other peaceful government critics unjustly imprisoned in Vietnam should be freed immediately," the group said.
In late April, a separate appeals court upheld a five-and-a-half-year jail sentence for a fifth man, Tran Anh Kim, who was also convicted of attempted subversion.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Bomb kills 2 US service members in Afghanistan AP - 25 minutes ago
U.S. missiles kill at least 24 in Pakistan Reuters - 1 hour 26 minutes ago
No end in sight as Thai protesters refuse to leave Reuters - 1 hour 28 minutes ago
Video: Aussie father clasps infant as car hits AP - 2 hours 12 minutes ago
Thai protesters vow to rally until deputy PM charged AFP - Wednesday, May 12
News Search
Top Stories
Berlusconi to pay ex 300,000 euros a month: reports
Earth may be too hot for humans by 2300: study
Toyota returns to profit despite recall crisis
Greece to ask EU, IMF for first tranche of debt aid
US regulators move to avert new stock market free-fall
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
UN fears 'irreversible' damage to natural environment
Lack of sleep linked to early death: study
BP hopes 'top hat' will succeed where dome failed
US regulators move to avert new stock market free-fall
Jazz singer, actress Lena Horne dead at 92
More Most Viewed »
Aliens may exist but contact would hurt: Hawking
Lack of sleep linked to early death: study
Freddie Mac asks for fresh 10.6 billion dollar bailout
French driving veil row escalates
UN fears 'irreversible' damage to natural environment
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
World Cup 2010
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Tuesday, 11 May 2010 Karzai arrives to US red carpet after rocky ties
British PM falls on sword, seeking post-poll deal
Twitter bug causes users to lose followers
91 killed in Iraq's bloodiest day this year
British PM announces stepping down as Labour leader
China says software piracy declines -- to 19 billion dollars
Europe boosts markets with 'shock and awe' deal
Attacks kill over 100 in Iraq, al Qaeda blamed
US-TECH Summary
Maroon 5 Announce 2010 Tour Dates, New Album Details
EU's Ashton says U.N. plan for Iran sanctions likely soon
Google's Android takes No 2 spot from iPhone
Military Signal Jams, Controls Garage Doors
Yemen says will not turn over militant cleric to US
|
Israel primed for war on Iran
Dish Network Q1 Profit Slips Despite Customer Rebound
Gas Prices Increase; Could Decrease Shortly
Pakistan to come under more U.S. pressure
|
Former Sunday School Teacher Faces Life With Guilty Plea
U.S. Assistant Secretary Heads To Indonesia, Japan
First Birds Rescued From Gulf Spill To Be Released; BP Tries Second Dome
U.S. Envoy Meets Myanmar Opposition Leader, Party Members
Cuban Refugees Picked Up, Sent Back
Lady Gaga Extends Monster Ball Tour Through 2011
BP mulls risky 'junk shot' to stem US oil slick
Afghanistan readies program to reintegrate Taliban
Karzai, Obama set for "frank" talks on Afghan war
Pakistan under pressure after NY car bomb
Thai protesters refuse to leave, push new demands
Aquino leads Philippine race on promise of change
Google's Android takes No 2 spot from iPhone
|
Philippine polls deliver decisive win for Aquino
Thai protesters OK poll date but set new demands
Pakistan to come under more U.S. pressure
Chinese AIDS activist flees to US after harassment
Aquino III leads in Philippines' presidential race
Jackson, Brown among Apollo's Walk of Fame in NY
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Jackson, Brown among Apollo's Walk of Fame in NY
Opera impresario flits from country house to prison
Spanish radio show livens the airwaves with death
China premier backs plan for ailing eurozone
Britain's Loach bids for Cannes gold with Iraq film
Morocco festival rejects ban appeal against Elton John
Taiwan artist sees the world in a grain of sand
"Idol" creator Fuller marks iTunes milestone
On the set in Serbia with a bloody Ralph Fiennes
|
Barbara Walters to undergo heart surgery
Katy Perry tops Maxim Hot 100 list
|
Iconic Yves Klein work a spring auction highlight
Hobbled Robin Hood director skipping Cannes
|
Jackson, Brown among Apollo's Walk of Fame in NY
|
Barbara Walters to undergo heart surgery
|
Spanish radio show livens the airwaves with death
|
Opera impresario flits from country house to prison
|
US mends fences with Karzai visit
Ukraine protesters challenge pro-Russia shift
Face-to-face time makes us happier than Facebook
Iraq on alert after attacks kill over 100
Siberia mine blast toll hits 43, Putin to visit
Russian mine death toll rises to 43
|
US regulators move to stop repeat of market free-fall
Beijing to allow news websites to list: report
4 French troops injured in Afghan attack: military
French parliament to take anti-burqa stand
No deal in sight as Thai protesters refuse to quit
|
BP hopes 'top hat' will succeed where dome failed
Medvedev seeks to revive ties on landmark Syria visit
Philippine election gives Aquino a strong platform
|
Twitter bug zaps followers
Tests rule out cancer in Spanish king: hospital
Jazz singer, actress Lena Horne dead at 92
Sunday School Teacher Who Killed Child Pleads Guilty To Murder
UK's two big parties court Lib Dems, Brown to quit
|
Obama in multi-media push for Supreme Court nominee
Warner Bros. Furthers Efforts To Upgrade From DVD To Blu-ray
U.S. missiles kill at least 14 in Pakistan
|
Android phones overtake iPhones: NPD
Greek cabinet agrees radical pension reform
"The View" Focuses On Affordable Clothing During Budget Week
Haitian police break up violent protest at palace
|
U.S. Markets Jump On European Loan Package
Android phones overtake iPhones: NPD
U.S. links Cheonan probe to stance toward N.Korea
|
Police, allies kill 18 insurgents in S Afghanistan
Obama reshapes Supreme Court with legal 'trailblazer'
Malaysia's Anwar aims to undermine sodomy claims
Missile barrage kills 14 in Pakistan tribal area
S.Korean climber returns home after 14-peak record
Aquino opens up commanding lead in Philippine vote
Beijing to allow news websites to list: report
|
S.Korean millionaire finds perfect son-in-law
Cable worries about Web video as fee disputes grow
|
Malaysia's Anwar: Sodomy trial tainted with lies
Face-to-face time makes us happier than Facebook
|
Floods kill 70 in southern China
U.S. missiles kill at least 14 in Pakistan
Why Hollywood should be nervous about court pick
"Bling Ring" actress jailed over Orlando Bloom break-in
'Iron Man 2' shows mettle at North American box office
Celebrity burglar reality star jailed for six months
Toyota roars back into the black
New York's Apollo Theater unveils Walk of Fame
Japan to cap new govt borrowing: finance minister
Toyota reports $1.2 bln profit for latest quarter
Seoul shares slip 0.4 pct as Europe worry lingers
China's consumer prices, bank lending rise in April
Outlaws and terrorists line up for Cannes film frenzy
Samsung outlines $20.6 billion investment plan
Radiation death exposes India's lax waste disposal
Toyota Prius tops Japan's April auto sales
China inflation rises as housing, food costs jump
Salary dispute holds up "Twilight 5" announcement
Samsung cash to target green energy, health
China's human rights lawyers face uphill struggle
PAKISTAN
Why Hollywood should be nervous about court pick
S.Africa tourism looks for long-term gains from WC
LA judge rejects defense bid in Polanski case
|
France's Pompidou Centre opens regional art hub
Why Hollywood should be nervous about court pick
|
Salary dispute holds up Twilight 5 announcement
|
LA judge rejects defense bid in Polanski case
"Bling Ring" actress jailed over Orlando Bloom break-in
Cable worries about Web video as fee disputes grow
|
Bling Ring actress jailed over Orlando Bloom break-in
|
Medvedev urges more US action in 'very bad' Mideast
Over $50 bln lost to software piracy: report
Israel sees no discord with U.S. on nuclear issue
Putin mourns Siberia mine tragedy as hope fades
No end in sight as Thai protesters refuse to leave
|
Toyota returns to profit despite recall crisis
Greece to ask EU, IMF for first tranche of debt aid
Iran says it warned off U.S. plane near manoeuvres
US judge dismisses Polanski 'lie' claims
Invasive Lizard Species Found In Florida National Forest
Russia says may build nuclear power plant in Syria
|
Breakfast At Tiffanys Authors House Sells For $18M
Iran says it warned off U.S. plane near maneuvers
|
Pep Boys Agree To $5 Million Settlement In Clean Air Act Case
Four Plead Not Guilty To Craigslist Murder
DCCC Pulls Out Of Special Election In Hawaii District Of Obama's Birth
Iran seeks nuclear talks with EU's Ashton
|
Bran May Reduce Risk Of Death From Diabetes
Shaqs All-Star Comedy Jam Premieres On Demand
Sin within the Church threat to Catholicism: pope
|
Eating Nuts May Lower Bad Cholesterol
Afghan girls hit again by suspected gas attack
|
Drug Developed To Kill Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Cells
Former ABN AMRO Forfeits $500 Million In Financial Conspiracy Case
US mends fences with Karzai visit
Medvedev urges more US action in Mideast peace efforts
Thai protesters vow to rally until deputy PM charged
Greenhouse gas emissions rise in India
Bomb kills 2 US service members in Afghanistan
Indonesian ex-top detective arrested in bribe case
Vietnam court upholds dissidents' jail sentences
Toyota roars back into black despite recalls
Vietnam court upholds jail for two dissidents
Ranbaxy says US sales drive $210m quarter profit
Protests to stay til Thai leaders report to police
Pakistani o/n rates flat; rupee firms; stocks down
Toshiba to spend big on chips, nuclear power
Toyota quarterly profit $1.2 bln as sales recover
Beware phony 3-D as Hollywood cashes in
US transport chief rides 300-mph Japanese maglev
Asian markets fall back as euro fears persist
Samsung outlines $20.6 billion investment plan
Hitachi trims annual loss, sees return to profit
China inflation rises as housing, food costs jump
Indonesian to make film on Obama's Jakarta childhood
Anna Nicole items up for auction, Dannielynn benefits
Indonesia's ex-top detective questioned on bribery
FIFA marketing rules spark frustration in S.Africa
Beware phony 3-D as Hollywood cashes in
Anna Nicole items up for auction, Dannielynn benefits
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights