The Hanoi People's Court on Sept. 16 sentenced Phan Van Bach, a democracy activist and former contributor to the independent YouTube channel CHTV, to five years in prison on charges of “distributing anti-state propaganda” under Article 117 of the Penal Code.

Bach, 49, who requested his lawyers allow him to defend himself, was convicted in a trial that lasted just about one hour. The procuracy charged the former activist under Section 1 of Article 117, which prohibits activities such as “making, storing, disseminating or propagandizing anti-state information,” “sowing confusion among the people,” and “committing psychological warfare.”

Bach was arrested last December after the police alleged he had produced and published articles and video clips on social media that contained anti-state content. According to the indictment, between 2018 and 2022, Bach had used a Facebook account under his name to post 12 articles and six video clips that allegedly “distorted the policies of the party and the state,” “denied the leadership role of the Vietnamese Communist Party,” and “defamed state leaders and incited the masses to oppose the government.”

Le Van Luan, one of Bach’s defense lawyers, said that although his client admitted what he did, he knew that what he published on social media could violate the Penal Code. Furthermore, according to Luan, Bach proposed that Article 117, under which he was prosecuted, be amended. The democracy activist does not plan to appeal the conviction, the lawyer added.

Before Bach's trial on Sept. 12, Human Rights Watch called on the Vietnamese authorities to “drop all charges and release” him. The rights group noted that Bach is an active campaigner for democracy and human rights and has participated in numerous demonstrations to protest the Law on Cybersecurity and the maritime pollution disaster caused by Formosa Ha Tinh Steel Co. in 2016.

Nguyen Thi Yeu, Bach’s wife, also informed the public on social media that her husband had suffered from scabies and intestinal illnesses while in custody, making him lose nearly 25 kg (55 pounds) since his arrest. In a statement published on X after the trial, Freedom House, a watchdog for freedom of expression, urged the Vietnamese government to provide Bach with “necessary medical care” and “facilitate his immediate and unconditional release.” The Washington D.C.-based nonpartisan watchdog group also called the sentencing “unjust” and said they are “deeply concerned” about his health.