A Vietnamese-American mathematician was convicted by a “People’s Court” in Hochiminh City today of terrorism and sentenced to a whopping … 6 months. Since he’s been held for 5 months and 26 days, he’ll be released in 4 days and free to return to the U.S., which has called the charges against him ludicrous.
Quan Quoc Nguyen, Ph.D., of Sacramento, was arrested on November 17, 2007 for possession of a document entitled “From Dictatorship to Democracy,” an analysis of nonviolent democracy movements from the Ukraine to Lebanon.
His organization, the California-based Viet Tan political party, held a press conference today in Westminster, where his very relieved wife Huong Ngo (pictured with her husband’s portrait) appeared and said again that she’s in full support of her husband’s activities.
Eyewitnesses of the trial in Vietnam told the press conference by internet phone that the Vietnamese court took only 6 hours to hear all purported evidence, arguments from both sides, and render a decision. Nguyen was sentenced to 6 months and is expected to leave the country in 4 days. A Vietnamese citizen co-defendant was sentenced to time served, and a Thai citizen was sentenced to time served plus 3 months.
“Terrorist” has become a favorite label for the communist government of Vietnam to slap on political dissidents, especially those with U.S. citizenship. Read more here.
It’s funny how in Little Saigon, Ca, there’s also a “People’s Court” run by “anti-commies” Ngo Ky, Doan Trong and Co. Same difference!
Bolsavik! I’m looking for an email address for you but I can’t seem to find one. I’d like to take an opportunity to invite you to join ‘The Centrist OC.’ With OJ’s loss of ‘Little Saigon Insider,’ there is a definitely a need for Viet representation in the blogosphere and I feel I’d have a lot to offer you in terms of exposure. Please email me at editor@thecentristoc.com if you’d like to join me. Thanks!
SMS