Journalist Truong Minh Duc sentenced to 5-year imprisonment

 

Houston, TX (VPP) – The People’s Court of Kien-Giang province confirmed in an appeal trial on July 18, 2008, a 5- year-imprisonment sentence issued on March 28, 2008 by District Court of Vinh Thuan, for freelance journalist Truong Minh Duc for his alleged violation of Clause 2 of Section 258 of the Vietnam Penal Code, by “taking advantages of the people’s liberty and democracy rights to harm the interests of the country”. Duc was arrested and imprisoned since May 5, 2007.

As the court session started, the judge told Duc that the court would reduce his sentence to four years or less if, he would openly admit his “crime against the state”. Duc immediately refused the judge’s offer and insisted that his works did not violate any laws of Vietnam; instead, they were to expose government officials of their illegal actions such as power abuses and corruptions.

Thereafter, the provincial prosecutor repeatedly accused Duc of the following charges.

1.    “Joining the Dang Vi Dan” (aka Vietnam Populist Party, an underground political party that keeps advocating for a free and fair general election in Vietnam).

2.    “Writing several articles purporting to distort the truth as well as misjudge about the regime and its leaders” (by disclosing cases of corruptions and abuses of power).

3.    “Campaigning against the policy of the Vietnamese Communist Party (VCP) and the Government of Vietnam” (by distributing leaflets, posting posters promoting the Dang Vi Dan, and calling on the public to boycott the VCP ’s controlled election of the People’s Parliament on May 20, 2007).

4.    “Assisting people to file complaints against government offices and giving financial support to the needy petitioners (regarding the state’s illegal land confiscations and development mismanagements).

5.   “Listening to radio broadcasts from overseas and reading articles from on the Internet” (namely the Vietnamese programs and postings from the Voice of America, Radio Free Asia, Radio France International, the British Broadcasting Company, Hoa-Mai, Chan Troi Moi, etc.)

During the 4-hour trial, all the charges were rebuffed by the defense lawyer, Mr. Le Tran Luat, who urged that his client be released since he had merely exercised his basic rights as set forth in the Constitution of Vietnam, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.  Furthermore, he also pointed out numerous evidences that the authorities had seriously violated the legal procedures in Duc’s arrest and previous trial.

Despite the solid defense argument, the judge imposed the pre-made verdict. As the court concluded, Duc shouted in protest against the injustice of the trial: “I strongly denounce this Communists' verdict. Down with the corrupt Communists for [their] robberies of the people's land properties.”  He was immediately forced to silence by a group of police officers, handcuffed and his feet chained despite his pain with the injured hand still in the cast.

Hundreds of people, including Duc’s family members, friends, supporters and especially many of those who had received his assistance, attended the appeal trial.

The verdict and the court procedures that disregarded the defense lawyer’s rebuttals have raised serious questions about Vietnam’s claims of improved legal practices. It is obvious the Vietnamese communist government continues to use its legal system to oppress dissents, especially to prolong its one party rule.

Journalist Truong Minh Duc is a member of both the Vietnam Populist Party and Bloc 8406. Since 1994, he had assisted several victims of government’s corruption and power abuses in southern provinces, and had authored a number of articles published in Vietnam and overseas.

Prior to the appeal court, Duc's wife affirmed his persistent stand (via RFA) in pursuing his ideals: “I strongly believe that campaigning for democracy, freedom, social justice, and welfare for the poor people, is not a crime. I will continue to defend and fight for the people’s rights and values, even when I am still in prison.”

 

 

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