Vietnamese dissident detained
Reports from Vietnam say the authorities have
placed a prominent dissident under house
arrest.
The man, Bui Minh Quoc - a journalist and poet
- is accused of possessing anti-government
literature, including some his own work.
Family members say they have learned that he
is to serve two years.
Bui Minh Quoc served a similar sentence under
house arrest between 1997 and 1999.
On that occasion, his case was taken up by
foreign governments and human rights groups.
News of this detention comes a day after
Vietnam denied reports that its human rights
record had deteriorated last year, saying only
those who had broken Vietnam's laws had been
detained.
BBC World Service - January 19, 2002.
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