Vietnam sends activist to prison for handing out pro-democracy leaflets
HANOI - A Vietnamese court has sentenced a man to two years in prison for circulating pro-democracy leaflets, state media reported Thursday.
The Ho Chi Minh City People's Court convicted Le Van Yen, 53, of collaborating with overseas activists to undermine the interests of the state, Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper reported.
Yen belonged to an overseas organization called "The National Salvation Committee" and had been communicating with its members online since 2004, the paper reported. It did not say where the group was based.
Yen was arrested on April 14, 2006, after allegedly handing out nearly 100 leaflets in the Binh Thanh District of Ho Chi Minh City, Thanh Nien said.
Vietnam is a one-party communist state, and the government does not tolerate political dissent. It has been criticized by many international human rights organizations for oppressing dissidents and religious activists.
The Associated Press - November 30, 2006.
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