After favorably taking into account Le Cong Dinh’s sincere declaration and repentance, plus his good record, the judgment council sentenced the former lawyer to five years’ imprisonment.

Le Cong Dinh and Le Thang Long at the court.

Meanwhile, the court sentenced Tran Huynh Duy Thuc to 16 years, Nguyen Tien Trung 7 years and Le Thang Long 5 years in prison. After the four defendants finish serving their sentences, they will remain under house arrest for 3-5 years.

According to the judgment council, the four defendants committed a crime prejudicial to national security. They acted organizationally and colluded with hostile organizations and forces to sabotage the state.

They said defendants used information technology and the Internet to exchange and spread documents that distorted the party and state’s policies. They said this raised people’s doubt against the party and the state.

The judgment council said that Tran Huynh Duy Thuc was the instigator and the ringleader of the “Chan Research Group”. Thuc participated in an anti-state organization named “Vietnam Democratic Party” and was responsible for founding the “Vietnam Social Party” to gather forces.

The court concluded that Nguyen Tien Trung was the instigator and founder of the “Gathering Democratic Youth” organization to sabotage the Vietnamese state and was an active member in “Vietnam Democratic Party”.

According to the court, Le Cong Dinh took part in the so-called “Vietnam Democratic Party” and was responsible for establishing the “Vietnam Labour Party” to assemble forces. This former lawyer also attended a training course on “non-violent” methods against Vietnam in Thailand.

The judgment council said that Le Thang Long joined the “Chan Research Group”, although he left this group later. Long set up the “Vietnam Improvement Campaign” and wrote articles against the Vietnamese state.

In his final words, former lawyer Le Cong Dinh admitted that his activities violated the laws and they were sourced from influences and concepts of Western democracy and civil rights and the influence of anti-Vietnam organizations and individuals that he met.

“My grandfather, my mother and my aunt took part in the two wars of resistance and they partly contributed to the establishment of the current administration but my acts were contrary to their contribution. I feel regret,” Dinh said.

Nguyen Tien Trung also accepted his wrong actions and twice said he was very regretful of his violation. He expressed a wish for mitigation and to quickly return to his family and to become a good citizen to contribute to the country’s development.

The judgment council said that in general, defendants were sincere, especially Le Cong Dinh and Nguyen Tien Trung, who committed offences in enticement of hostile forces. Based on these details, the court mitigated the penalty for these defendants.

PV