5 people who tried to overthrow the government in Ho Chi Minh City were sentenced

On the afternoon of October 5, the People's Court of Ho Chi Minh City sentenced Luu Van Vinh (51 years old, from Hai Duong) to 15 years in prison and Nguyen Quoc Hoan (41 years old, from Ninh Binh) to 13 years in prison for the crime ofActivities aimed at overthrowing the people's government.

In connection with the case, defendant Nguyen Van Duc Do (43 years old, from Thua Thien - Hue) and 2 others received 8-11 years in prison as accomplices.

In addition, after completing their prison sentences, the defendants will also be placed under local house arrest for 3 years.

According to the indictment, Mr. Vinh and four accomplices worked closely together, gathering forces to form the Vietnam National Alliance. This organization attacked and distorted the Party's policies and guidelines, aiming to overthrow the Vietnamese State. On November 6, 2016, at a church in Tan Binh District, while they were distributing documents to launch the organization, they were caught red-handed by the police.

Mr. Vinh was identified as the mastermind, setting goals and operating guidelines and attracting many people to establish illegal organizations.

Nguyen Van Duc Do, as vice president of the organization, was responsible for encouraging and strengthening the confidence of the participating members. Defendant Hoan and another person acted as advisors, actively assisting Vinh in establishing, orienting the expansion of the organization, and mobilizing finances. The remaining defendant was in charge of military affairs, making efforts to help Vinh and Hoan prepare personnel to establish the militia.

In court today, only one defendant admitted to the crime, Vinh and the remaining accomplices denied their confessions to the investigation agency. They said they were just "talking nonsense" on Facebook and did not commit the crime as accused.

The representative of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Procuracy maintained the prosecution's viewpoint; affirmed that the collected documents and evidence... were sufficient grounds to charge Vinh and his accomplices. The prosecution and trial were of the right person, the right crime, and there was no injustice.

The panel of judges assessed that the defendants' actions violated national security and the existence and strength of the people's government as well as the State of Vietnam, so they must be severely punished.