At the trial (Photo: VNA) Can Tho (VNA) - The People's Court of Thoi Lai district in Can Tho city opened a first instance trial of a criminal case "abusing the rights to freedom and democracy to violate the interests of the State and the legitimate rights and interests of organisations and citizens” under Article 331 of the 2015 Penal Code (revised and supplemented in 2017).
The case involved Truong Chau Huu Danh and members of the “Bao sach” group.
Five defendants of the case include Truong Chau Huu Danh, 39, from the southern province of Long An, Nguyen Phuoc Trung Bao, 39, residing in central Da Nang city, Le The Thang, 39, residing in Hanoi and Doan Kien Giang, 36 and Nguyen Thanh Nha, 41. Both Giang and Nha reside in Ho Chi Minh City.
According to the indictment, in August 2019, Danh and his accomplices created the Facebook fanpage named “Bao sach,” a group named “Lam bao sach” and a Youtube channel named “BS Channel” to post 47 articles and video clips on issues of public concern.
The articles and video clips posted by the group used unverified, untrue, negative, one-sided information that intentionally misled public opinions, causing misunderstanding and creating conditions for negative comments, thus inciting some people who have false perception to oppose guidelines of the Party, and policies and laws of the State.
Their acts have also affected the management work in localities, triggered confusion, suspicion in the public and undermined public trust in the State and all-level authorities in social management.
During the investigation, Danh and his accomplices admitted their wrongdoings.
After Danh was arrested in late 2020, the remaining members left the group. Thang removed the Facebook page and Youtube channel and left the "Lam bao sach" group.
Thang had been released on bail and applied for a trial in absentia while Danh, Bao, Nha and Giang have been under temporary detention./.
