HUE, Vietnam (CNS) • Father Thaddeus Nguyen Van Ly, a human rights campaigner jailed by Vietnamese authorities, was released from prison three days ahead of the May 22 arrival of U.S. President Barack Obama.
In photos released by the Archdiocese of Hue, the 80-year-old priest can be seen kneeling – with assistance – before the archbishop upon his return to his parish, reported ucanews.com.
The archdiocese reported that the priest was in good health. Ordained in 1974, Father Ly had spent more than two decades cumulatively in prison and 15 years under house arrest on a range of charges related to his activism. The latest arrest dated back to 2007, when he was sentenced to eight years in prison and five years house arrest on anti-government activities. He was released in 2010 to get treatment for a brain tumor, only to be reimprisoned the following year.
Father Ly had been an outspoken rights activist, campaigning for democracy and freedom of speech and speaking out against the government confiscation of church property.
