Vietnam puts 12 people on trial for alleged subversion

A court in Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City has begun the trial of 12 people, including two American citizens, on subversion charges as government authorities step up a crackdown on dissent.

The official Vietnam News Agency said the defendants are accused of attempting to overthrow the government by recruiting members for a US-based exile group called the Provisional Central Government of Vietnam and by engaging in anti-state activities.

Vietnam's government has labeled the little-known group a terrorist organization.

The news agency said two Vietnam-born American citizens are accused of ordering other members of the group to distribute anti-state leaflets, take over state radio stations to broadcast anti-government messages, and participate in anti-government protests. It said most of the plans were thwarted. The trial is scheduled to last three days.