Foreign reporters' presence at Glitter trial in Vietnam uncertain
HANOI - Judges in Vietnam have yet to decide whether reporters can cover the high profile trial this month of former British rock star Gary Glitter for obscene acts with children, an official said.
Dozens of media organisations are expected to descend on Vung Tau city for the trial of the Briton, who has been detained in the southern Vietnamese province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau since his arrest in Ho Chi Minh City in November.
But judicial sources told AFP earlier Thursday that some parts of the trial could be held behind closed doors, including the testimony of the two girls.
"I understand that there is keen interest," foreign ministry spokesman Le Dung said at a press briefing. "Whether or not (reporters) are accepted at the court trial will be subjected to the approval of the judges."
Glitter's Vietnamese lawyer Le Thanh Kinh said last week the trial could begin on February 20 but the date has not been finalized. Dung only said it would happen "towards the end of this month".
Prosecutors have recommended that Glitter, whose real name is Paul Francis Gadd, stand trial for committing obscene acts with two children aged 11 and 12.
Prosecutors first sought charges of child rape, which could have carried the death penalty, but lowered these charges, reportedly for lack of evidence.
Glitter, 61, has paid a total of 4,000 dollars to the families of the two Vietnamese girls.
Agence France Presse - February 9, 2006.
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