Popular Blogger Jailed on Anti-State Charges

elijah oyibu

March 4, 2014 4:10 PM

The owner of the popular Vietnamese blog, 'Viewpoint' has been sentenced to jail on anti-state charges

Dear Nigerian Bloggers, after reading this story, you might want to be careful what you write.

A popular Vietnamese Blogger and Journalist has been jailed for two years for posting stuff that was critical of the Vietnamese Communist leaders.

By name Nhat, the blogger and owner of ‘A Different Viewpoint’ was found guilty of abusing ‘Democratic Freedoms’ (e.g the right to freedom of expression) and infringing on state rights although he strongly denied the charge, claiming innocence.

Nhat is a 50 year old man, who has worked for a couple of state owned papers. He later quit and set up his own blog and has since, dealt in politically sensitive issues. In the incriminating blog post, he called for the resignation of top Vietnamese leaders, saying it’s time for new ones.

He was taken into custody in April 2013, and his blog, shut down. Normally, the crime for which he is being convicted could attract a punishment of seven years imprisonment.

Vietnam is currently the second country, after China, with the highest number of detained bloggers.

What do you think? Should people be imprisoned for expressing their opinion through their writing?

elijah oyibu