Vietnam priest jailed for dissent

A Vietnamese Catholic priest has been jailed for eight years for dissent after a dramatic one-day trial in which he denounced the ruling communist party.

Father Thadeus Nguyen Van Ly, a pro-democracy activist, was led into court in the central Vietnamese city of Hue in handcuffs along with four alleged accomplices.

At the start of the trial he refused to stand and identify himself before the chief judge, Bui Quoc Hiep.

"Down with the Communist party of Vietnam!" Ly shouted before a police officer covered his mouth and removed him to a nearby room. Read more