Two American citizens, along with ten others, tried and convicted in Saigon for terrorism
Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security accused the 12 of engaging in anti-state activities on behalf of the Provisional National Government of Vietnam (PNGV), a "terrorist" organisation loyal to the former South Vietnam regime. James Nguyen Han and Phan Thị Dao were given "counter-revolutionary missions" such as spreading propaganda, organising protests and insulting the image of Ho Chi Minh.
Hanoi (AsiaNews/Agencies) – The People's Court in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) convicted two US citizens, in connection with a plan to carry out bomb attacks.
At the end of a two-day trial, the court sentenced James Nguyen Han and Phan Thị Dao (aka Angel Phan) to 14 years in prison for " attempting to overthrow the state”. Ten other people were also convicted and give sentences ranging from five to 11 years.
The authorities accused the defendants of printing 4,000 leaflets, plotting to broadcast anti-government propaganda on local radio stations, and organise anti-regime protests on 30 April, “Reunification Day”, the day when the Vietnam War ended in 1975 with the victory of Communist North Vietnam.
According to Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security, the 12 people involved belong to the California-based Provisional National Government of Vietnam (PNGV), an organisation founded in 1990 and loyal to the former South Vietnam regime.
The PNGV allegedly sent Phan and Nguyen to Vietnam in February 2017 to carry out “counter-revolutionary missions” during national holidays. These involved carrying out anti-government propaganda, organising protests and insulting the image of the late Ho Chi Minh.
In June, a court in Ho Chi Minh City upheld the prison sentences imposed on 15 members of the group convicted of planting bombs in the international terminal of Tan Son Nhat airport in April 2017.
Last month, police said it had arrested seven PNGV members over the bombing of a Ho Chi Minh City police station.
The incident, in which two small explosive devices were detonated, injured three people in what police said was a "terrorist case against the people's government".
A police warehouse, where confiscated vehicles, mostly motorbikes, were stored, was also blown up.
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04/11/2008
