Facebooker Nguyen Lan Thang was arrested
Mr. Nguyen Lan Thang, 47 years old, was arrested on charges of anti-state activities.
On July 5, defendant Thang (residing in Thinh Quang Alley, Dong Da District) was detained by the Hanoi City Police Security Investigation Agency to investigate the crime of Making, storing, disseminating or propagating information, documents and items against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, according to Article 117 of the Penal Code.
The prosecution decisions have been approved by the Hanoi People's Procuracy. The alleged violations have not been announced.
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Defendant Nguyen Lan Thang. Photo provided by police |
Defendant Thang’s Facebook account has more than 150,000 followers and has recently posted articles on various issues. This afternoon, the account is still open.
According to Article 117, anyone who commits one of the following acts against the State shall be sentenced to 5-12 years in prison: Making, storing, disseminating or propagating information, documents or items that distort or defame the people's government or have fabricated content, causing panic among the people or causing psychological warfare. Committing the crime in particularly serious cases shall be sentenced to 10-20 years in prison.
Anyone preparing to commit this crime will be punished with 1-5 years in prison.
