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US citizens on trial in Vietnam US citizens on trial in Vietnam
(about 3 hours later)
Three US citizens and four Vietnamese have gone on trial in Vietnam charged with terrorism.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. They 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. Correspondents says the case may complicate ties with the US ahead of President George W Bush's visit next week and a Congressional vote on trade.
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. All of the seven defendants are of Vietnamese origin, but three - Nguyen Thuong Cuc, also known as Cuc Foshee, Huynh Bich Lien and Le Van Binh - also have US citizenship.
All of them are of Vietnamese origin. Local press reports have linked them to a California-based anti-communist organisation called the Government of Free Vietnam.
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. They are alleged to have brought transmitters and other equipment into Vietnam from neighbouring Cambodia.
Prosecutors have said they plotted to take over the country's airwaves and broadcast anti-government radio messages. They were hoping to take over local radio stations and broadcast anti-government radio messages, according to the BBC correspondent in Hanoi, Bill Hayton.
Congress voteCongress 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 (Apec).
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, our correspondent says.
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 because of the case.
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.