The Investigation Security Agency of the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) has initiated legal proceedings and issued a temporary detention order for Nguyen Van Dai. He is being investigated for the crime of "making, storing, disseminating, or propagandizing information, documents, and items aimed at opposing the Socialist Republic of Vietnam State," as stipulated in Article 117 of the Penal Code.
These procedural decisions have been approved by the Supreme People's Procuracy.
On 18/11, the MPS stated that investigation results sufficiently established that Dai, 56, a Vietnamese national from Hung Yen, had committed acts violating the aforementioned Article 117.
A day earlier, the Investigation Security Agency of the MPS also initiated proceedings and issued temporary detention orders for Le Trung Khoa and Do Van Nga on similar charges.
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Nguyen Van Dai. Photo: Facebook Nguyen Van Dai |
Nguyen Van Dai, 56, is a former lawyer. On his verified personal Facebook page, which boasts nearly 900,000 followers, Dai frequently posts articles in Vietnamese addressing issues related to Vietnam.
He was previously sentenced to prison twice for propagandizing against the state and for actions aimed at overthrowing the people's administration. In 2007, while serving as the head of Thien An Law Office, Dai was indicted and subsequently sentenced to 4 years in prison by the Hanoi appellate court for the crime of "propagandizing against the state." He was placed under 4 years of probation after completing his prison sentence.
In 2015, he was again temporarily detained. Three years later, the Hanoi People's Court sentenced him to 15 years in prison and 5 years of probation in a separate case, accused of "activities aimed at overthrowing the people's administration." For the same offense, five of Dai's accomplices received sentences ranging from 9 to 12 years in prison, followed by 1-3 years of probation.
In this particular case, the court determined that the defendant Dai had established the operational platform for the "Brotherhood for Democracy" (Hoi anh em dan chu); trained and guided members on operational methods and experiences; developed projects; and contacted foreign organizations and individuals to solicit support, receiving nearly 72,000 USD and over 9,000 EUR in funding.
Article 117 of the Penal Code outlines the crime of making, storing, disseminating, or propagandizing information, documents, or items aimed at opposing the Socialist Republic of Vietnam State.
1. Any person who commits one of the following acts aimed at opposing the Socialist Republic of Vietnam State shall be sentenced to imprisonment from 5 years to 12 years:
a) Making, storing, disseminating, or propagandizing information, documents, or items with content that distorts or defames the people's administration;
b) Making, storing, disseminating, or propagandizing information, documents, or items with fabricated content, causing public confusion;
c) Making, storing, disseminating, or propagandizing information, documents, or items for psychological warfare.
2. If the crime is committed in exceptionally serious circumstances, the offender shall be sentenced to imprisonment from 10 years to 20 years.
3. Any person who prepares to commit this crime shall be sentenced to imprisonment from one year to 5 years.
Linh Dan
