The People’s Court of the central province of Nghe An sentenced Le Dinh Luong to 20 years in jail for “attempting to overthrow the people’s administration” under Clause 1 of Article 79 and Articles 38, 39 and 92 of the 1999 Penal Code at the first-instance trial on August 16. 

Le Dinh Luong at the trial on August 16

Luong, born in 1965 and residing in Nghe An’s Yen Thanh district, will also be under probation for five years after completing the prison term.

He was arrested in July 2017 on suspicion of conducting activities aiming at overthrowing the State. Following investigations showed that Luong often organised activities designed to overthrow the people’s administration and cause social instability in the locality.

Based on evidence and debate at the trial, the jury concluded that Luong was an active member of the Viet Tan terrorist organisation and deeply involved in its activities in Nghe An, Ha Tinh and Quang Binh provinces. 

He tried to lure Vietnamese citizens to join the organisation through posting and sharing stories advocating Viet Tan and its operation while spreading wrong information about Vietnam’s situation and the Communist Party of Vietnam through social media platforms.

The jury said Luong was aware that his acts violated the law but continued to do it for a long time. His offence is serious, calling for strict punishment.-VNA