The People’s Court of the central province of Khánh Hòa sentenced Phan Văn Bình to 14 years in prison for “attempting to overthrow the people’s administration” on Tuesday. — Photo baokhanhhoa.vn

KHÁNH HÒA — The People’s Court of the central province of Khánh Hòa sentenced Phan Văn Bình to 14 years in prison for “attempting to overthrow the people’s administration” on Tuesday.

The court heard Bình’s actions took place over a long period of time, aiming to undermine the great national unity bloc, violate national security, go against national interests, and harm social order and safety – all deeds which are considered especially serious.

Bình, born in 1972 and living in Cam Hiệp Bắc Commune, Cam Lâm District, Khánh Hòa Province, has been in temporary detention for almost a year.

The indictment of the provincial People’s Procuracy stated Bình often used his mobile phone to watch video clips of Đào Minh Quân introducing “Chính phủ quốc gia Việt Nam lâm thời” (Provisional National Government of Việt Nam), which is listed as a terrorist organisation in accordance with domestic and international law.

In November 2015, Bình used the Facebook account “An Phan” to connect to the account “Kelly Trieu Thanh Hoa”, set up by a woman in California, US.

Through “Kelly Trieu,” Bình learned about the “Provisional National Government of Việt Nam”, led by Quân, that aims to overthrow the Socialist Republic of Việt Nam to establish another state called “Đệ tam cộng hòa.”

The organisation promised to provide salaries, houses, and wealthy lives for its members.

Bình voluntarily filed a dossier to join the organisation under the instruction of “Kelly Trieu Thanh Hoa” who then informed via Facebook that Bình’s dossier was accepted by Quân.

He was given the title of Captain in charge of mobilising and luring people in Việt Nam to participate in the organisation and support “Prime Minister” Quân.

Bình confessed that with his mobile phone, he popularised video clips of Quân and “Kelly Trieu Thanh Hoa” introducing the organisation among people in Cam Hiệp Bắc Commune, in an effort to lure them to the organisation.

Bình also tricked his daughter, named Phan Thị Hạnh, into registering to join the organisation.

Investigations show that, through the “An Phan” Facebook account, Bình posted many articles defaming late President Hồ Chí Minh and Vietnamese Party and State leaders, as well as distorting Việt Nam’s history and guidelines of the Party, and policies and laws of the State, in order to overthrow the people’s administration and the Socialist Republic of Việt Nam.

The “Provisional National Government of Việt Nam” was established in the US in 1991 by Quân.

Born on July 27, 1952 in the central province of Thừa Thiên-Huế, Quân has proclaimed himself the Prime Minister of the “Provisional National Government of Việt Nam.”

According to the announcement released by Việt Nam’s Ministry of Public Security in January 2018, the “Provisional National Government of Việt Nam” is a terrorist organisation, and therefore, anyone participating in propagandising and inciting others to join, sponsor, and receive sponsorship from the organisation, took part in the organisation’s training courses, and followed the instruction of the organisation, has committed “terrorism” and will be treated pursuant to Việt Nam’s law. — VNS