Asia-Pacific News
Vietnamese court hears appeal of imprisoned democracy activists
May 11, 2010, 4:31 GMT
Hanoi - International human rights organizations called for the release of three Vietnamese democracy activists whose appeals trial began Tuesday in Ho Chi Minh City.
The activists, lawyer Le Cong Dinh and internet entrepreneurs Tran Huynh Duy Thuc and Le Thang Long, were sentenced to terms of between 5 and 16 years in prison in January for trying to 'overthrow the government.'
Dinh had attended a meeting on non-violent political activism in Thailand, while Thuc and Long organized political discussion groups on multiparty democracy. The three were associated with members of foreign-based Vietnamese dissident groups.
The international rights organization Human Rights Watch called Tuesday for the court to reverse the verdicts.
'These activists and scores of other peaceful government critics unjustly imprisoned in Vietnam should be freed immediately,' said Human Rights Watch Asia director Brad Adams in a statement.
Other organizations, including Reporters Without Borders and Amnesty International, have also called for the activists to be released.
A verdict in the appeal is expected Tuesday afternoon.
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