The defendants were brought to court on the morning of July 20.
At 2 p.m., the trial of Mr. Le Tung Van, 90 years old; Ms. Cao Thi Cuc (62 years old, owner of Bong Lai pagoda) and 4 others continued with the questioning. The court reminded those involved, lawyers from both sides... to respect and maintain the dignity of the court; not to interrupt when others are asking questions. If it happens again, they will be disciplined. The panel of judges also reminded the defendants to testify honestly to avoid creating a bad image.
Regarding Mr. Van and defendant Le Thanh Trung Duong, 27 years old, protesting the indictment, the panel continued to publish a video of 5 monks - urgently announcing the results of the case of 50 people - that the defendants posted on social media. In which, the content showed false information.
At the morning session, Mr. Van and defendant Le Thanh Trung Duong, 27 years old, objected to the indictment, saying that the accusation was not true. The panel then released many videos showing the defendants and others going to the Duc Hoa District Police headquarters, shouting and demanding the return of Diem My (the girl who left home to practice at Bong Lai monastery), because they believed that "the police had kidnapped" her.
The indictment alleges that from 2019 to 2021, Mr. Van directed Le Thanh Hoan Nguyen, 31 years old; Le Thanh Nhat Nguyen, 30 years old, to create many Youtube accounts: 5 Chu Tieu - Thien Am Ben Bo Vu Tru and Nhat Nguyen - Hoan Nguyen Official. These people staged, acted, and posted videos with words distorting Buddhist teachings, insulting the personal honor of Venerable Thich Nhat Tu...
Nhat Nguyen also posted a video of "district police kidnapping a girl named Diem My" with false content on Nhat Nguyen - Hoan Nguyen Official channel.
Mr. Le Tung Van (right) at court this morning
All 6 defendants were tried for the crime of "Abusing democratic freedoms to infringe upon the interests of the State, organizations and individuals" under Clause 2, Article 331 of the Penal Code; the penalty range is 2-7 years in prison.
The trial is scheduled to end today.
According to VnExpress
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