Vietnam Police Detain Prominent Catholic Priest And Key Activists (Update)

By Stefan J. Bos,

2/19/07 Vietnam (BosNewsLife) The 86-year-old Catholic Priest Chan Tin, who is editor-in-chief of Tu Do Ngon Luan or ‘Freedom of Speech’ Magazine, was arrested the Dong Chua Cuu The Church or ‘Savior Jesus Christ Church’ in Ho Chi Minh City, previously known as Saigon, said the ‘International Movement for Democracy and Human Rights in Vietnam’ (IMDHR) which comprises dissidents in Vietnam and Vietnamese exiles. He was later apparently released but remains closely monitored by security forces, BosNewsLife learned.

It was not immediately clear what charges had been filed against the priest. News of the arrest came as another priest and leaders of the anti-government Vietnam Progression Party (VPP) remained in police custody Monday, February 19, BosNewsLife established.

“Father Nguyen Van Ly and the VPP leadership, President Nguyen Phong, Founder Nguyen Binh Thanh and Secretary General Hoang Thi Anh Dao have been arrested,” IMDHR spokesman Viet Si told BosNewsLife. “They have been currently in police custody.”