Vietnam jails 'dissident' priest

A Vietnamese court has sentenced Catholic priest Thadeus Nguyen Van Ly to eight years in prison for anti-government activities…

A Vietnamese court has sentenced Catholic priest Thadeus Nguyen Van Ly to eight years in prison for anti-government activities.

The sentencing came during proceedings today in which Ly shouted denunciations of Vietnam's Communist leaders.

He was sentenced in Thua Thien Hue Provincial People's Court on charges of disseminating materials intended to undermine the government, and communicating with anti-communist groups overseas.

Authorities said Ly is one of the founders of the "Vietnam Progression Party" and was plotting to merge with overseas democracy activists to form a new political umbrella group.

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AP