VietNamNet Bridge – An Appeals Court on November 29 commuted the sentence of an activist who was charged with carrying out activities aimed at overthrowing the people’s administration.

In the courtroom, Hoang said he was the major income earner to look after his aging parents, disabled brother and small children. During the investigation process, he showed goodwill by handing in 33 of his articles speaking ill of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

The former lecturer said he had been aided and abetted by the Viet Tan reactionary group to carry out activities against the local administration. He felt regret over what he had done and asked for pardon.

Hoang vowed to stop any contact with the outlawed group and other reactionary parties. He also expressed his wish to stay and carry on his teaching career in Vietnam. 

Hoang began to study in France in 1973 and joined the Viet Tan party – an outlawed organisation – in Paris in 1998. Two years later he returned to Vietnam and worked as a part-time lecturer at HCM City Technology University.

From July 2002 to May 2010, Hoang, alias Phan Kien Quoc, wrote articles distorting Party guidelines and State policies. He sent these stories to Viet Tan to be published on the internet in an attempt to incite forces to overthrow the Communist Party of Vietnam and the people’s administration.

From November 26-29, 2009, Hoang flew to Malaysia to attend a training course on non-violence struggle, run by key members of the Viet Tan group.

From December 29, 2009 to May 9, 2010, Hoang, together with his young brother Pham Duy Khanh and some other accomplices, run two courses on soft skills for 43 students and monks to mobilise forces for the Viet Tan group.

Hoang was sentenced to three years in prison and placed on probation for another three years by the Instance Court in August 2011.

VietNamNet/VOV