Key events:

• Hanoi Court Sentences Democracy Activist Phan Van Bach to 5 Years in Prison on ‘Anti-State’ Charges
• Court Rejects Lawyer’s Appeal of ‘Abusing Democratic Freedoms’ Conviction
• Cybersecurity Police Continue to Fine Internet Users Accused of ‘Spreading False Information’ Regarding Flooding Situation

Hanoi Court Sentences Democracy Activist Phan Van Bach to 5 Years in Prison on ‘Anti-State’ Charges

The Hanoi People’s Court on Sept. 16 sentenced Phan Van Bach, a democracy activist and former contributor to the independent YouTube channel CHTV, to five years in prison on charges of “distributing anti-state propaganda” under Article 117 of the Penal Code.

Bach, 49, who requested his lawyers allow him to defend himself, was convicted in a trial that lasted just about one hour. The procuracy charged the former activist under Section 1 of Article 117, which prohibits activities such as “making, storing, disseminating or propagandizing anti-state information,” “sowing confusion among the people,” and “committing psychological warfare.”