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Vietnam dissident priest on trial Vietnam priest defiant in court
(about 7 hours later)
A Catholic priest is to go on trial in Vietnam accused of disseminating information to undermine the state and forming an illegal political party. A Catholic priest has gone on trial in Vietnam accused of disseminating information to undermine the state and forming an illegal political party.
Father Nguyen Van Ly is a prominent pro-democracy activist who has been under house arrest since last month. Father Nguyen Van Ly, 60, shouted "Down with the Communist Party" as he was led into court in the central city of Hue.
Father Ly, 59, has already spent 14 of the past 24 years in prison for his opposition to Communist Party rule. The prominent pro-democracy activist, who was then removed from court, faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
Four other defendants share the dock with Father Ly, who has been under house arrest since early last month.
After his outburst, a policeman covered Father Ly's mouth as he continued trying to shout, and removed him to an adjacent room.
The trial is expected to last one day.
Political crackdown
Father Ly has already spent 14 of the past 24 years in prison for his opposition to Communist Party rule, says the BBC's Chris Xia.
He was last jailed in 2001 after he urged the US to link its trade policy with Vietnam's human rights record.He was last jailed in 2001 after he urged the US to link its trade policy with Vietnam's human rights record.
He was released in 2005 and soon resumed his dissident work.He was released in 2005 and soon resumed his dissident work.
Father Ly is a founding member of Bloc 8406, a pro-democracy movement launched last April. He is also a member of the Progression Party.Father Ly is a founding member of Bloc 8406, a pro-democracy movement launched last April. He is also a member of the Progression Party.
Leading members of both groups have been detained in recent months, in what appears to have been a concerted drive against opponents of the communist government.Leading members of both groups have been detained in recent months, in what appears to have been a concerted drive against opponents of the communist government.
An envoy from the Vatican raised the case of Father Ly with the authorities during a visit to Vietnam earlier this month.An envoy from the Vatican raised the case of Father Ly with the authorities during a visit to Vietnam earlier this month.
But the envoy would not say what Vietnam's response was.But the envoy would not say what Vietnam's response was.
State media has accused Father Ly and other pro-democracy activists of trying to undermine the Communist Party by forming illegal parties to field candidates in National Assembly elections in May.State media has accused Father Ly and other pro-democracy activists of trying to undermine the Communist Party by forming illegal parties to field candidates in National Assembly elections in May.
Only the Communist Party is allowed to stand, although a small number of seats are reserved for non-party members.Only the Communist Party is allowed to stand, although a small number of seats are reserved for non-party members.