Detained Vietnamese lawyers may get lengthy sentences

After the long sentence imposed on Father Nguyen Van Ly late last month, two Vietnamese attorneys charged with the same crime may receive similar sentences, according to Compass Direct News. The attorneys, Nguyen Van Dai and Le This Cong Nhan, were both arrested in early March and are being charged with providing “material harmful to the state.”

Dai and Nhan have not been able to see family members or lawyers during their detention, the latter being in direct conflict with the laws of Vietnam. Additionally, there has been a government campaign to paint the lawyers in a negative light in articles in state-run newspapers.

Dai and Nhan have been active dissidents and are both tied to Bloc 8406, a pro-democracy movement established last year. Dai is also a well-known human rights lawyer and has taken on many religious freedom cases.

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