An official said a court in central Vietnam has sentenced three political activists to up to three and a half years in prison for distributing anti-government leaflets. Presiding Judge Vi Van Chat said the three were convicted of “spreading propaganda against the state” and ordered to serve up to 18 months under house arrest. A fourth defendant was given a two-year suspended sentence. Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director of Human Rights Watch, said in a statement that the four are Catholic activists who were arrested after passing out pro-democracy materials. He called for their immediate release.—AP
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