Release International

Religious rights campaigner Thadeus Nguyen Van Ly has been arrested yet again on suspicion of 'sabotage' -- just two years after his release from jail on similar charges.

Ly, who has spent a total of 10 years in prison for criticising the government, was arrested in Hue, Thua Thien-Hue province, in the bishop's compound where he and several other clergy live.

AsiaNews reports that some 60 officers raided the compound and confiscated computers, mobile phones and a great deal of paperwork on February 19. Two other clergymen -- Chan Tin and Phan Van Loi -- were arrested with Ly, reportedly for their involvement in editing an underground magazine called Free Speech.

Ly is now under house arrest in 'an isolated parish', according to Reporters Without Borders. He is no stranger to such harassment. Ly was sentenced to 15 years -- his third jail term -- for 'undermining national unity' in October 2001, but was freed early in a prisoner amnesty in 2005.

• Thank God for the courage of Thadeus Nguyen Van Ly, who has continued his religious rights campaigning of years, despite the authorities' harassment.
• Pray that Ly's prominence will force the authorities to deal with him leniently.

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