Pastor Nguyễn Mạnh Hùng Sentenced to Six Years for “Anti-State” Activities, Rights Groups Say

 

The Vietnamese Magazine | 2025.11.03

Civil society and activist sources report that Pastor Nguyễn Mạnh Hùng, a 71-year-old Protestant minister, was sentenced on Oct. 30, 2025 by the Lâm Đồng Provincial People’s Court to six years in prison and five years of probation for “making and disseminating anti-state materials” under Article 117 of the Penal Code.

Hùng was arrested in January 2025 in Hồ Chí Minh City, after police raided his home, confiscated personal devices, and briefly detained his son. He is known for advocating religious freedom and had previously faced harassment for his pastoral work.

According to defense lawyer Hà Huy Sơn, Hùng plans to appeal the verdict. As of now, there has been no official statement or confirmation about his trial from Việt Nam’s state-controlled media or judicial authorities.

Rights groups, including RFA, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, and CIVICUS Monitor, have condemned his prosecution as part of a broader pattern of criminalizing peaceful expression and religious activity under national-security laws.

 

 

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