Objective coverage of church-state and religious liberty developments, with extensive links to primary sources.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Vietnam Court Rejects Appeal of Catholic Demonstrators
In Vietnam, a court has rejected an appeal by eight Roman Catholics who had been convicted and given suspended sentences, probation and, in one case, merely a warning, after engaging in demonstrations in Hanoi last year. AP reported Friday on the appeal of the convictions for disturbing public order and damaging property growing out of a prayer vigil seeking return of land once owned by Thai Ha Church in Hanoi. Defendants say their activities were protected speech. Government authorities contend that the land was turned over to the city, and have since turned it into a park. (See prior related posting.)