Sentenced to over 7 years in prison for undermining national unity policy

Y Nuen Ayun, 59, was identified as participating in a reactionary organization disguised as a religious group, carrying out numerous activities directed from abroad.

On August 5, the Dak Lak Provincial People's Court sentenced Y Nuen Ayun, 59, to 7 years and six months in prison for undermining national unity policy. Ayun, a resident of Ea Phe commune, was found to have engaged in activities directed by an individual living overseas.

According to the indictment, starting in 2019, Ayun operated under the direction of A Ga, 49, who is currently abroad. Ayun established and led the "Protestant Church of Christ in the Central Highlands".

Prosecuting authorities determined this group to be a reactionary organization disguised as a religious body, aiming to conduct activities infringing upon national security. Ayun propagated and expanded its followers domestically, organized and participated in both in-person and online religious activities to sustain the organization, and repeatedly sent false reports and documents to A Ga.

Investigators also revealed that Ayun received over 7.7 million dong from A Ga to fund the church's activities. These activities aimed to establish a separate religious organization for ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands, free from government oversight, ultimately seeking to form a "separate state".

Case files showed that despite numerous warnings from authorities and functional agencies, and even commitments not to re-offend, Ayun continued these activities for an extended period. Investigators stated that his actions aided hostile forces against the State, causing division within the bloc of national unity.

At the trial, Ayun confessed to all his criminal acts.