June 8, 2016
In March 2007, pro-democracy activist Father Nguyen Van Ly was sentenced to eight years in prison for "conducting propaganda" against the state. Accusations against Father Ly included his involvement in the pro-democracy movement Bloc 8406, which he co-founded, and other banned political groups.
Father Ly has experienced terrible health while in prison, including suffering a stroke in November 2009, which left him paralysed on one side of his body. Prior to this he had been held in solitary confinement at Ba Sao prison camp where he was denied adequate medical care.
After much international pressure and negotiations with his family, the authorities released Father Ly temporarily in March 2010 for him to obtain proper medical assistance. After 16 months in care, and the diagnosis of a brain tumour, he was taken back to prison by ambulance to resume his sentence.
Father Ly, now 65, was originally set to be released in August but instead walked free on May 20, 2016.
Click here for entire article.
