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Two Vietnamese Mennonites Released from Prison

HO CHI MINH CITY — Two of the six imprisoned Mennonite Church personnel have been released from the city's Chi Hoa prison after completing their sentences.

Nguyen Hieu Nghia, deacon of the Mennonite congregation in Ho Chi Minh City' s 2nd District, was released on December 2. His evangelist brother, Nguyen Thanh Nhan, was released the following day. After receiving physical examinations December 4, they went to their parents' home near Rach Gia in the south-west province of Kien Giang. They planned to return to Ho Chi Minh City for medical examinations and treatment on December 11.

Nghia, 24 years old, was the first person arrested in the March 2 incident at the Mennonite house church center. His 22 year old brother Nhan was detained by police when he went with others to inquire about reports that Nghia was being beaten while in police custody.

Both Nhan and Nghia reported they were beaten during interrogations.

At the trial in the city's court on November 12, the brothers were sentenced to nine months imprisonment, basically the time they had already served.

Pastor Nguyen Hong Quang received the stiffest sentence, three years imprisonment, when convicted on the charge of interfering with persons carrying out official duties. Evangelist Pham Ngoc Thach received a two-year sentence.

Evangelist Nguyen Thanh Phuong and children's teacher Ms. Le Thi Hong Lien were both sentenced to twelve months in prison.

Appeals for these four were filed with the People's Supreme Court. Phuong's appeal was rejected. Ms. Lien is not able to pursue an appeal because of serious illness brought on by her imprisonment. During the trial she was unable to stand.

It is not known when the court will rule on the Quang and Thach appeals.

"Please pray for and support them, especially Ms. Lien," declared a church spokesperson.