Hanoi- Two prominent Vietnamese human rights lawyers were sentenced to prison on Friday in Vietnam's continuing crackdown on pro-democracy activists. Nguyen Van Dai and Le Thi Cong Nhan were found guilty by a Hanoi's People's Court of disseminating propaganda that was harmful to the state, a violation of Article 88 of Vietnam's penal code.
Dai was given a five-year sentence with an additional four years house arrest once he finishes his prison term. Nhan received four years in prison with three years under house arrest.
During the half-day trial, the defendants told the presiding judge that they rejected the accusations made against them. Before the court adjourned to consider the verdict, Nhan shouted out, "I object," then she broke down in tears.
The proceedings were observed by the press and representatives from several foreign embassies via closed circuit television. Neither the public nor the defendants' families were allowed in the courtroom.
Friday's verdicts came just a day after three pro-democracy activists in Ho Chi Minh City were found guilty of the same charges.
A third trial is scheduled for May 15. Tran Quoc Hien is charged with spreading disinformation as well as threatening public security, which carries a possible additional 15 years prison sentence.
Human rights groups accuse Vietnam of stepping up its persecution of pro-democracy activists now that the country is no longer trying to win concessions from the international community.
In March, Vietnam sentenced outspoken priest Nguyen Van Ly to eight years in prison for spreading anti-government propaganda. Ly has been in and out of prison for his political activities for more than a decade.
Washington has condemned the recent crackdowns on pro-democracy activists. Earlier this month the US House of Representatives passed a resolution calling for the release of Ly and other prisoners of conscience.
Such comments have drawn the ire of Vietnamese officials, who say that the activists are using the cloak of democracy and freedom to violate Vietnam's laws. They have asked foreign countries to refrain from interfering in their internal affairs.
Amnesty International says that more than 20 dissidents have been arrested since Vietnam won approval to join the World Trade Organization last November.
