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US citizens on trial in Vietnam | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Three US citizens and four Vietnamese have gone on trial in Vietnam charged with terrorism. | |
The seven are accused of attempting to set up illegal transmitters to make anti-communist radio broadcasts inside the country. | The seven are accused of attempting to set up illegal transmitters to make anti-communist radio broadcasts inside the country. |
The case may complicate ties with the US ahead of President George W Bush's visit to Vietnam next week and a Congressional vote on trade relations. | The case may complicate ties with the US ahead of President George W Bush's visit to Vietnam next week and a Congressional vote on trade relations. |
The trial in Ho Chi Minh City is expected to last no more than a day. | The trial in Ho Chi Minh City is expected to last no more than a day. |
Local press reports have linked the seven people to a California-based anti-communist organisation called the Government of Free Vietnam. | Local press reports have linked the seven people to a California-based anti-communist organisation called the Government of Free Vietnam. |
All of them are of Vietnamese origin. | All of them are of Vietnamese origin. |
The three suspects who have US citizenship are Nguyen Thuong Cuc, also known as Cuc Foshee, Huynh Bich Lien, also known as Linda Linh, and Le Van Binh. | The three suspects who have US citizenship are Nguyen Thuong Cuc, also known as Cuc Foshee, Huynh Bich Lien, also known as Linda Linh, and Le Van Binh. |
Prosecutors have said they plotted to take over the country's airwaves and broadcast anti-government radio messages. | Prosecutors have said they plotted to take over the country's airwaves and broadcast anti-government radio messages. |
Congress vote | Congress vote |
The case is being heard exactly a week before President Bush arrives in Vietnam to attend the annual Asia-Pacific summit. | The case is being heard exactly a week before President Bush arrives in Vietnam to attend the annual Asia-Pacific summit. |
It may also complicate scheduled votes in the US Congress intended to permanently normalise trade relations between America and Vietnam. | It may also complicate scheduled votes in the US Congress intended to permanently normalise trade relations between America and Vietnam. |
Senator Mel Martinez from Florida, the home state of one of the accused, has threatened to block the bill. | Senator Mel Martinez from Florida, the home state of one of the accused, has threatened to block the bill. |
That would be an embarrassment to both governments, which have heralded the bill as symbolising their new partnership. | That would be an embarrassment to both governments, which have heralded the bill as symbolising their new partnership. |
If found guilty of terrorism, the accused could face sentences ranging from 12 years in jail to the death penalty. | If found guilty of terrorism, the accused could face sentences ranging from 12 years in jail to the death penalty. |
The Vietnamese government is currently trying to extradite a man it calls the leader of the plot, Nguyen Huu Chanh, from South Korea. | The Vietnamese government is currently trying to extradite a man it calls the leader of the plot, Nguyen Huu Chanh, from South Korea. |
An earlier attempt failed. Mr Chanh was one of the founders of the Government of Free Vietnam. | An earlier attempt failed. Mr Chanh was one of the founders of the Government of Free Vietnam. |