Facebook user jailed for defaming Party and State

March 21, 2019 - 16:00

The People’s Court of Bình Thủy District, Cần Thơ City on Wednesday imprisoned a man for two years for posts on his Facebook.

Lê Minh Thể at the hearing. — VNA/VNS Photo
Viet Nam News

CẦN THƠ The People’s Court of Bình Thủy District, Cần Thơ City on Wednesday imprisoned a man for two years for posts on his Facebook.

He was convicted of “abusing the rights to democracy and freedom to infringe on the interests of the State and the rights and interests of organisations and citizens” in line with Clause 1, Article 331 of the Penal Code.

According to the indictment, from March to August 2018, Lê Minh Thể, 56, residing in An Thới Ward of Bình Thủy District, joined Facebook with the account name ‘Le Minh The’ and a profile picture featuring a running wastewater drain of the Lee&Man paper plant in the Mekong Delta province of Hậu Giang.

During the period, Thể used his Facebook account to regularly livestream about social issues with the aim of slandering the Party and State, sabotaging the people’s solidarity and sowing division between the people and the Party and State, according to the court.

He distorted historical facts, denied revolutionary achievements, praised old regimes and defamed the Party and State leaders, said the court.

He was also found to have colluded with reactionaries at home and abroad to deliver anti-Party and anti-State propaganda and call for demonstrations and riots.

Thể’s acts infringed on the interests of the State as well as the rights and interests of organisations and citizens, harming local security and order, concluded the jury. — VNS

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