Vietnam sentences dissident to 8 years

 

Jan. 26, 2011

HANOI, Vietnam, Jan. 26 (UPI) -- Vietnam Wednesday sentenced a dissident former Communist Party official to eight years in prison for posting online calls for democracy.

Vi Duc Hoi was convicted of "spreading anti-government propaganda" by a court in northern Lang Son province, said Amnesty International, which condemned the punishment. He faces an extra five years of house arrest after prison.

Hoi, arrested in October, is a member of the Bloc 8406 group of human rights activists and exposed corruption and injustice, Amnesty International said. At least 30 other dissidents are serving long prison terms while others await trial.

Hoi joined the party in 1980 and rose to high posts. He was expelled in 2007 after advocating democratic reforms.

He was arrested in April 2008 for protesting the Beijing Olympic torch relay's passage through Vietnam, and publicly denounced at party rally.

"This verdict and sentence is a shocking testament to how the Vietnamese authorities show complete disregard for freedom of expression when it comes to people who peacefully challenge government policies," said Donna Guest of Amnesty International.

 

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