Release International

A 60-year-old pastor accused of trying to undermine the government of Vietnam has been jailed for the fourth time in two decades.

Thaddeus Nguyen Van Ly, who has already served a total of about 15 years in prison, was sentenced to eight years in a one-day trial on March 30. He was indicted for 'propaganda against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam' -- as part of a sweeping crackdown on dissidents. As 7x7 reported on March 6, Ly was placed under house arrest in February after officials raided the compound in Thua Thien-Hue where he lives with other clergy.

Ly's human rights work since the late-1970s has made him a key figure in Vietnam's prodemocracy movement. He was a founder member of Bloc 8406, a group named after the date in 2006 on which it launched its manifesto for reform.

Unexpectedly, the government allowed foreign journalists to observe Ly's trial. But this is probably not a sign that Vietnam is yielding to pressure to reform. Footage obtained by Reuters news agency clearly shows a guard clamping his hand over Ly's mouth as the pastor tries to speak in court. (View it at www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dzk1WmmHoBI) Four of Ly's colleagues arrested on the same day -- Nguyen Phong, Nguyen Binh Thanh, Hoang Thi Anh Dao and Le Thi Hang -- were also convicted. They were given between 18 months' suspended sentence and six years in jail.

• Pray for Nguyen Van Ly as he starts yet another jail term. Pray that God will use him in prison -- and that his sentence will be reduced.
• Pray that the interest of the international media in Ly's trial will cause Vietnam to reflect -- and reform.

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