Tuyên phạt bị cáo Nguyễn Văn Đài 17 năm tù

Nguyen Van Dai's criminal behavior violated national security and damaged Vietnam's reputation, requiring strict legal action.

On December 31, the Hanoi People's Court held a first-instance trial and sentenced defendant Nguyen Van Dai (born in 1969, Vietnamese nationality; former permanent residence before emigration in Bach Mai Ward, Hanoi; currently residing in the Federal Republic of Germany) to 17 years in prison for the crime of "Making, possessing, distributing, and disseminating information and documents aimed at opposing the Socialist Republic of Vietnam" as stipulated in Article 117, Clause 2, of the Penal Code.

[Image caption: Defendant Nguyen Van Dai.] (Photo: TTXVN)

Before this case, Nguyen Van Dai had two prior convictions, including: Criminal Appeal Judgment No. 1037/2007/HSPT dated November 27, 2007, of the Appellate Court, Supreme People's Court in Hanoi, sentencing him to 4 years in prison and 4 years of probation for the crime of "Propaganda against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam" as stipulated in Article 88 of the 1999 Penal Code (he has served the sentence but his criminal record has not yet been expunged); Criminal Judgment No. 117/2018/HS-ST dated April 5, 2018, of the Hanoi People's Court sentenced the defendant to 15 years of imprisonment and 5 years of probation for the crime of "Activities aimed at overthrowing the people's government" as stipulated in Article 79 of the 1999 Penal Code (The judgment is legally effective; Nguyen Van Dai's imprisonment was temporarily suspended according to Decision No. 207/2018/QD-CA dated June 7, 2018, of the Hanoi People's Court).

The total remaining sentence from Criminal Judgment No. 117/2018/HS-ST is 12 years, 6 months, and 8 days of imprisonment, requiring the defendant to serve a combined sentence of 29 years, 6 months, and 8 days of imprisonment, with the term of imprisonment calculated from the date of commencement of the sentence.

Regarding the supplementary penalty, the Trial Council sentenced defendant Nguyen Van Dai to a probationary period of 5 years. Combined with the 5-year probationary period stipulated in Judgment No. 117/2018/HS-ST, the defendant is required to serve a total of 5 years of probationary period for both judgments, starting from the date of completion of the prison sentence.

In this case, defendant Nguyen Van Dai was wanted by the Security Investigation Agency of the Ministry of Public Security under Wanted Notice No. 1643/QDTN-ANDT-P3 dated December 5, 2025.

The Hanoi People's Court called on defendant Nguyen Van Dai to surrender and appear at the trial to exercise his right to self-defense as prescribed by law.

To date, defendant Dai has not surrendered. Based on legal regulations, the Court proceeded with the trial in his absence.

Previously, the prosecuting authorities announced through the mass media, in accordance with the law, the conclusion of the investigation, the issuance of the indictment, and the commencement of the trial of the case against defendant Nguyen Van Dai.

To ensure the defendant's right to defense as stipulated by law, the prosecuting authorities appointed a lawyer to represent and protect Dai's legal rights and interests at the trial.

According to the indictment of the Supreme People's Procuracy, from July 21, 2025 to November 7, 2025, Nguyen Van Dai used nine accounts/channels to create, post, and disseminate on social media numerous articles and video clips containing content that distorted and slandered the people's government; fabricated information, and caused public unrest in order to oppose the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Among the articles and video clips posted by Nguyen Van Dai on social media, 11 videos and 1 article were concluded to contain content that distorted and slandered the people's government, fabricated information, and caused public unrest.

The prosecuting authorities concluded that Nguyen Van Dai's criminal acts violated national security, caused public unrest, affected Vietnam's prestige internationally, and aimed to oppose the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, thus requiring strict legal action.

The first-instance judgment determined that the indictment by the Procuracy was well-founded and in accordance with the law. The nature of the case was exceptionally serious. The defendant's criminal acts were dangerous to society, violated national security, undermined the stability and sustainable development of the socialist regime; caused disruption to public order and safety, and created anxiety, worry, and indignation among the people. Therefore, bringing the defendant to trial and imposing a strict punishment is necessary to educate, warn, and prevent similar crimes in the future.