Man imprisoned for attempting to overthrow people’s administration

The People’s Court of north-central Nghe An province on December 15 sentenced Tran Duc Thach to 12 years in prison for “attempting to overthrow the people’s administration”.
Defendant Tran Duc Thach at the court (Photo: VNA)

Defendant Tran Duc Thach at the court (Photo: VNA)

The People’s Court of north-central Nghe An province on December 15 sentenced Tran Duc Thach to 12 years in prison for “attempting to overthrow the people’s administration”.

Thach, 68, from the province’s Dien Chau district, will be subject to a probationary period of three years upon his release. He was previously sentenced to three years behind bars on charges of “conducting propaganda against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam”.

According to the indictment, from March 2013 to July 2017, Thach and Nguyen Van Dai, Pham Van Troi, Nguyen Trung Ton, and Nguyen Bac Truyen founded the “Brotherhood for Democracy” organisation, built an operational credo and regulations, and opened a representative office and a website.

They used the excuse of fighting for “democracy and human rights” and “civil society” to hide their activities against the administration, and contacted illegal organisations both inside and outside of Vietnam to gain strength and wait for a suitable time to declare public operations, confront the administration, and change the political institutions in Vietnam towards overthrowing the people’s administration.

In December 2015, the Investigation Police Agency at the Ministry of Public Security began legal proceedings against Nguyen Van Dai, Pham Van Troi, Nguyen Trung Ton, and Nguyen Bac Truyen on charges of “attempting to overthrow the people’s administration”.

When working with the agency and Nghe An’s Department of Public Security, Thach committed to giving up the “Brotherhood for Democracy” organisation as well as activities confronting the State of Vietnam.

However, he then continued to implement anti-State activities. From May 1, 2019 to March 2, 2020, he wrote and posted many articles distorting political and socio-economic events and smearing Party and State leaders on his Facebook page.

The jury said that the case was extremely serious and the defendant’s offence dangerous and long-lasting.

The People’s Procuracy of Nghe An province affirmed that Thach’s offense threatened social stability, encroached upon national independence and socialism, reduced people’s trust in the political institutions of the State of Vietnam, and infringed upon national security and social safety and order.

VNA

Other News

Vietnam moves to adapt to rapid population ageing, expand silver economy

Vietnam moves to adapt to rapid population ageing, expand silver economy

The International Day of Older Persons 2026, themed “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives,” highlights the need to develop healthcare, social security, labour-market and social-service systems in response to increasing life expectancy. For Vietnam, rapid population ageing is not only a demographic issue but also a development challenge.

Vietnamese, Lao localities bolster Front cooperation

Vietnamese, Lao localities bolster Front cooperation

Both sides agreed to keep educating officials, Party members, youth union groups and the broader public, especially young people in both provinces, on the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between Vietnam and Laos.

Urgent rescue launched for Merchant Mariner off Quang Ngai

Urgent rescue launched for Merchant Mariner off Quang Ngai

The captain discovered water entering ballast tanks No. 4, 5 and 6 on the port side, causing the vessel to list slightly. Initial assessments indicated that the vessel may have struck an underwater rock formation while underway.

Publishing copyright caught in crossfire of piracy, AI

Publishing copyright caught in crossfire of piracy, AI

Publishing copyright is entering an entirely new phase. As AI becomes increasingly capable of generating text, summarising books, mimicking writing styles and producing content at enormous speed, ensuring copyright protection is becoming more difficult.

Heavy rains cause widespread damage in Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa

Heavy rains cause widespread damage in Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa

Prolonged heavy rains from September 13–17 have caused flooding and landslides, damaging homes, crops, roads and infrastructure in Phu Tho and Thanh Hoa provinces, with local authorities mobilising forces for emergency response.

Quang Ninh police bust 38.4 million USD transnational cybercrime ring

Quang Ninh police bust 38.4 million USD transnational cybercrime ring

Quang Ninh city's Public Security Department warned individuals, agencies and businesses not to publicly disclose or provide personal information or bank account details on social media, and urged organisations and businesses to strictly comply with regulations on protecting customers’ personal data.

Search area expanded to recover more martyrs' remains in Quang Tri

Search area expanded to recover more martyrs' remains in Quang Tri

The continued recovery of martyrs’ remains provides valuable information and further evidence of those who fought and sacrificed their lives for national independence and freedom. It also encourages search teams to persist in locating fallen soldiers still lying on former battlefields, contributing to the effective implementation of the 500-day campaign and reflecting Vietnam’s long-standing tradition of gratitude.

Vietnam to screen students nationwide for five health risks from 2028

Vietnam to screen students nationwide for five health risks from 2028

Vietnam will launch nationwide screening for five groups of school-related diseases and health conditions among students from preschool through high school from 2028, including overweight and obesity, refractive errors, spinal curvature, oral diseases and mental health disorders.