Trial of Vietnam Dissident Set to Open 30 March

Text of report in English by Vietnamese news agency VNA website

[VNA report:"Accused Counter-Revolutionary To Go on Trial"]

Thua Thien-Hue (VNA) -The trial of Nguyen Van Ly and his accomplices for spreading propaganda against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam will begin in the People’s Court of the central province of Thua Thien-Hue on Mar. 30.

Based on investigations by the provincial security forces, the People’s Procuracy issued an indictment against Ly and his co- conspirators, charging them with violating clause 1 of Article 88 of the Penal Code.

Ly allegedly committed actions to ignite and gather forces to oppose the administration, stir social disorders and complicate political situation and security in the central region.

He is also accused of conspiring with several elements in the city of Hue , including Nguyen Phong, Nguyen Binh Thanh, Hoang Thi Anh Dao and Le Thi Hang, to form a political party, an action prohibited by law.

Ly was born in May 15, 1946 in Vinh Linh, central Quang Tri province. Ordained a Catholic priest in 1974, Ly diverged from the authentic religious life in 1975 and began taking part in reactionary activities against the people’s administration.

He was first arrested in 1977 on charge of circulating documents opposing the revolutionary administration but escaped from being prosecuted until December 1983, when he was sentenced to ten years in prison for undermining the people’s unity bloc and disturbing social order and security.

In February 2001, the Thua Thien-Hue People’s Committee ordered that Ly be placed under house arrest in Phu An commune, Phu Vang district. Ly continued, however, to conduct adverse activities against the authorities.

In October 2001, the Thua Thien-Hue People’s Court sentenced Ly to 15 years in prison for failing to comply with administrative decision of authorised State agencies and sabotaging the policy of national unity. He was released after five years and again placed under house arrest.

In February 2005. Ly was granted amnesty but had to continue to serve his term of house arrest. Showing no repentance, Nguyen Van Ly systematically violated the terms of the house arrest and continued activities against the State.

Ly left his place of residence 14 times without permission from authorised agencies, travelling to other locations three times. He failed to show up at the headquarters of local authorities on a monthly basis as required by the law, even when informed, warned and requested by authorities.

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