Christian Lawyers Face Trial in Vietnam
by Staff
May 2, 2007
(christiansunite.com) - Nguyen Van Dai, a 38-year-old member of the main Hanoi congregation of the legally-recognized Evangelical Church of Vietnam (North), or ECVN (N), since 2000, was arrested on March 6 for accusations relating to his defense of religious freedom, including disseminating "alleged infractions of religious liberty [to Vietnam's enemies abroad]." Dai is one of Vietnam's few human rights lawyers and is a member of Advocates International, an organization which brings together Christian human rights lawyers from many countries. He defended the "Mennonite Six" in 2004-2005.Also arrested in early March was Dai's colleague, Le Thi Cong Nhan, who faces similar accusations. Both are due to be tried on May 11 for defaming the communist state of Vietnam. It is expected that the trial will be nothing more than a charade.
Authorities have prohibited Dai's wife, Khanh, from visiting him and she has not been provided with any legal papers. By law she should have received a copy of the arrest order at her husband's March 6 arrest citing the reasons for his "temporary detention." Her home phone and cell phone services have been cut. Police have reportedly been trying to incite neighbours against her.
The Voice of the Martyrs is urging Christians from around the world to pray for and to send letters/cards of encouragement to Mrs Khanh immediately. For more information, a sample letter and the address to which you can write, please go to www.persecution.net/weblog.htm or persecutedchurch.blogspot.com/2007/04/write-mrs-vu-minh-khanh-wife-of.html.
For more information on the persecution of Christians in Vietnam, go to www.persecution.net/country/vietnam.htm.
