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remaining 117 (comprising women, children and old poople) have now been released and the remainder are being held in prisons in or near Saigon while they await trial for illegal emigration. Apart from those who are charged with illegal emigration some 21 men have been identified as deserters and will subsequently face an additional trial by military tribunal. It is difficult to forecast what sentences might be imposed by this tribunal since desertion is a relatively frequent occurrence in South Vietnam and the penalties depend very much on the precise circumstances of each case.
The latest development is that some members of the group have lodged an appeal against the examining magistrate's decision. to commit them for trial. Until this appeal has been heard no date can be set for the trial itself.
Yours incerely, Trony.
2.