Blogger jailed for five years for anti-State posts

Blogger Nguyen Huu Vinh and his assistant Nguyen Thi Minh Thuy were imprisoned for five and three years, respectively, on the charge of abusing the rights to democracy and freedom to infringe on the interests of the State and

Blogger Nguyen Huu Vinh and his assistant Nguyen Thi Minh Thuy were imprisoned for five and three years, respectively, on the charge of abusing the rights to democracy and freedom to infringe on the interests of the State and rights and interests of organisations and citizens, during a trial in Hanoi on March 23.

 Blogger Nguyen Huu Vinh (L) and assistant Nguyen Thi Minh Thuy (R)

According to the indictment, Vinh, 60, launched the blogs “Dan Quyen” at diendanxahoidansu.wordpress.com, and “Chep Su Viet” at chepsuviet.wordpress.com in September 2013 and January 2014.

He later asked Thuy, 36, to release 24 articles containing untruthful and groundless contents on the websites, which distorted the Party policies and State laws, tarnished personal reputation and affected organisations’ prestige, presenting a one-sided and pessimistic view, causing public anxiety and worry.

Throughout the interrogation and arguments, both defendants denied the charges.

After considering the defendants’ testimony, lawyers’ arguments, the indictment and related evidence and documents, the judge council came to the conclusion that the act of Vinh and Thuy constituted the abuse of the rights to democracy and freedom to infringe on the interests of the State and rights and interests of organisations and citizens as stipulated in Clause 2, Article 258 of the Penal Code.

The council said the act is dangerous to society and should be punished accordingly.