+
.CONFIDENTIAL
GRS 184
FRIORITY
CYPHER CAT A
FM SAIGON 04043ØZ
CONFIDENTIAL
NCEIVED IN
REGISTRY No.52)
- 4 JUL 1974
NKKIY/S
REF.
!
TO PRIORITY FCO TELEGRAM NUMBER 190 OF 4 JULY 1974
REPEATED FOR INFORMATION PRIORITY TO GOVERNOR HONG KONG
(83)
MY TELEGRAM NUMBER 179:
REPATRIATED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
1. MILITARY COURT THIS MORNING PASSED SENTENCE ON THOSE INVOLVED IN THE LONG AN SMUGGLING TRIAL. 59 PEOPLE WERE INVOLVED, OF WHOM 43 WERE IN THE ARMED FORCES, INCLUDING
18 OFFICERS. THE ALLEGED RING LEADER WAS SENTENCED TO DEATH. TRUONG HONG (WITH TWO OTHERS) WAS SENTENCED TO HARD LABOUR FOR LIFE. OTHER SENTENCES RANGED FROM 20 YEARS HARD LABOUR TO
ACQUITAL. COURT WAS PUBLIC AND ATTENDED BY FOREIGN
JOURNALISTS.
2. THE ACCUSED HAVE THREE DAYS TO APPEAL TO THE SUPREME COURT. HOWEVER, LATTER CONSIDERS ONLY WHETHER THE LAW HAS BEEN PROPERLY APPLIED AND DOES NOT RE-EXAMINE THE FACTS. IT IS
THEREFORE PROBABLE THAT TRUONG HONG'S SENTENCE WILL
STAND. IN PRACTICE IT IS ALMOST CERTAIN TO BE REDUCED THROUGH
THE REGULAR AMNESTIES.
3. DURING THE PROCEEDINGS THE ALLEGED RING LEADER CLAIMED THAT
HE WAS ONLY A SHRIMP CAUGHT IN THE NET. THE PRESIDING JUDGE
ASKED IF THAT WAS SO, WHO WERE THE PRAWNS?. THERE WAS NO
REPLY. THE GENERAL BELIEF IS THAT THE ACCUSED WERE ADVISED
TO MAKE NO FUSS AND HAD BEEN REASSURED THAT THEY WOULD IN FACT
BE TREATED LENIENTLY IN PRISON ALTHOUGH THE SENTENCES HAD TO BE
MARSH TO CONVINCE THE PUBLIC OF THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE PRESENT
CAMPAIGN FOR ECONOMIC AUSTERITY AND FOR CLEANING UP CORRUPTION.
CONFIDENTIAL
4. I HAVE
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