Vietnam puts 12 people on trial for alleged subversion

Members of the Provisional Central Government of Vietnam in exile in the United States stand trial in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on  Aug. 21, 2018. AP

HANOI, Vietnam — A court in Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City has begun the trial of 12 people, including two American citizens, on subversion charges as government authorities step up a crackdown on dissent.

The official Vietnam News Agency said the defendants are accused of attempting to overthrow the government by recruiting members for a U.S.-based exile group called the Provisional Central Government of Vietnam and by engaging in anti-state activities.

Vietnam’s government has labeled the little-known group a terrorist organization.

The news agency said two Vietnam-born American citizens are accused of ordering other members of the group to distribute anti-state leaflets, take over state radio stations to broadcast anti-government messages, and participate in anti-government protests. It said most of the plans were thwarted.
The trial is scheduled to last three days. /ee