Tensions are rising over the fate of four Vietnamese and three U.S. citizens who have been imprisoned for attempting to broadcast programs critical of the Vietnamese communist regime.
A Hanoi court sentenced the group to 15 months in jail on charges of terrorism. The seven had attempted to take over radio stations via radio transmitters and broadcast anti-communist messages, the prosecution alleges.
Similar charges have carried sentences ranging from 12 years imprisonment to execution.
All of the defendants are of Vietnamese background. Local press reports have linked them to the California-based Government of Free Vietnam, a pro-democracy organization.
The Vietnamese government failed earlier this year to obtain the extradition of Nguyen Huu Chanh from South Korea. Chanh is one of the founders of the Government of Free Vietnam.
The final verdict was passed just weeks after Vietnamese leaders said they would allow their citizens to discuss politics online via their Communist Party Web site.
At the last Vietnamese People's Congress in April 2006, the Communist Party faced fierce criticism by former war veterans, citizens, and the press. The party has shown little tolerance towards challenges to its legitimacy, banning private media, blocking political Web sites, and jailing critics.
Ties between the United States and Vietnam have been tangled ahead of an official visit by former U.S. President George W. Bush next week. The U.S. Congress was set to vote on permanently regulating trade between the nations, but this was held up after Florida Senator Mel Martinez threatened to block the bill.
The sentence may hinder the image of Vietnam, which was recently invited to become the 150th member to join the World Trade Organization (WTO). For 12 years Vietnam has sought WTO membership, which is tipped to help maintain the country's economic growth.
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