An Giang (VNA) – The People’s Court of An Giang province on July 9 handed down an one-year prison sentence to the 17-year-old Ho Trong Phuc for "abusing democratic freedoms to infringe upon the interests of the State and the rights and legitmate interests of organisations."
According to an indictment by the provincial People’s Procuracy, around August 2024, Phuc began participating in activities at the Quang Minh Tu pagoda, established by Vo Van Thanh Liem in Long Dien A commune, Cho Moi district (the address before the country’s recent administrative merger). There, Phuc became acquainted with Liem and his niece - Vo Thi Thu Ba.
Phuc frequently accessed content distorting and defaming the State and the Communist Party of Vietnam posted on the Facebook account “Quangminh Tu” and other overseas websites and social media accounts. He subsequently shared this content via other Facebook accounts and also posted similar material himself.
On December 24 and 29, 2024, he was reported to have written slogans and used loudspeakers to broadcast statements containing fabricated, defamatory claims against the Party and local authorities. He was formally prosecuted on January 1, 2025.
An assessment by the provincial Department of Information and Communications concluded that the content posted and shared by Phuc distorted and slandered the State, spread disinformation that caused public confusion, and included psychologically manipulative messaging. The posts were found to have infringed upon the interests of the State, the Communist Party of Vietnam, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, posing risks to public order and social safety.
During the investigation, Phuc admitted that the “Quangminh Tu” Facebook account was managed by Liem and Ba, and that his actions were carried out under their instruction. Authorities are continuing their investigation into Liem and Ba and will take further legal action accordingly./.
Court upholds sentence for anti-State lawyer
Defendant Tran Dinh Trien, a lawyer, was found to be fully responsible for his actions as he was aware that his conduct was unlawful yet deliberately carried out the offence, which negatively affected public security, social order, and the reputation of state agencies.
