Pro-democracy activists charged with terrorism in Viet Nam

Three pro-democracy activists – one American, one Thai and one Vietnamese citizen – who have been detained in Viet Nam since November 2007 have been charged with terrorism, Reuters reported Tuesday.

The American, Nguyen Quoc Quan, was sentenced to six months in jail, but he will be deported at the end of the week as he has already served his time, U.S. embassy officials said.

Nguyen was arrested along with several other activists and members of the Viet Tan (Viet Nam Reform Party) who were preparing to distribute leaflets opposed to one-party rule. Most have since been released.

The Vietnamese government describes the Viet Tan as a terrorist group, but the party says that it is working for peaceful democratic change.

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