Nguyen Van Dai and Le Thi Cong Nhan, both lawyers, were sentenced to five years and four years respectively by the Hanoi People's Court, just over two months after their arrest in the capital city March 6.

They were found guilty of making use of their profession to spread propaganda intended to libel the government.

Dai and Nhan were also convicted of making, storing and distributing materials with distorted information against the state.

Article 88 of the criminal code says that it is illegal to spread information sullying or libeling the state or spread fabrications that cause public confusion.

As well as receiving jail terms, they were also ordered to serve several years' house arrest after the completion of their sentences.

A court in Ho Chi Minh City convicted three other people on similar charges on Thursday.

Le Nguyen Sang was sentenced to five years in jail, Nguyen Bac Truyen to four years, and Huynh Nguyen Dao to three years.

Meanwhile, 70-year-old Phan Van Ban, who had been sentenced to life imprisonment for treason and conspiracy against the state, has been released under a presidential amnesty.

Ban appealed for his release, citing “his advanced years and wishes to be reunited with his family in the US as primary reasons for his calls for amnesty,” Vietnam News Agency said.

The letter also “contained an apology to the government and public for his actions and an expression of confidence in the government for its handling of economic and social reforms.”

After his release, Ban left Vietnam to the US on May 9.

Reported by Thanh Nien