Posted on 05/23/2016 4:21:27 AM PDT by marshmallow
The communist authorities have released the priest in his 70's, leader of the struggle for rights and religious freedom. The years in jail have taken their toll physically, but not on his spirit. He is "bright and determined." Activists say his release is a gift to Obama on the eve of his trip to Vietnam.
Hanoi (AsiaNews) – Hanoi’s Communist authorities have released Nguyen Van Ly, a Catholic priest in his 70s one of the top leaders in the struggle for religious freedom and civil rights in the country. According to some sources, the decision is a "good will" gesture ahead of the official visit of US President Barack Obama May 23 to 25.
In fact several human rights organizations and activists had appealed to the White House to raise the issue of persecution and freedom - and not just the arms trade - during meetings with government leaders.
Fr. Van Ly was sentenced March 30, 2007 to eight years in prison and five years of house arrest for violating the notorious Article 88 of the Criminal Code. According to the indictment he led a movement for democracy, called "Bloc 8406", founded in April 2006, with 2 thousand members, and supported illegal groups such as the Progressive Party of Vietnam.
Previously he had already spent 14 years in prison - between 1977 and 2004 - for his battles in defense of religious freedom and human rights in the communist country. The image of the handcuffed priest in the courts, with a policeman muzzling him while he was protesting against the persecutions of the communist regime made him famous worldwide.
In 2009 he was hit by a stroke in prison, which left him semi-paralyzed for some time.
His release was announced by the Archdiocese of Hue. In an interview with Radio Free.....
(Excerpt) Read more at asianews.it ...
Everybody will say how great this is and never ask what was he doing in jail.
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