Vietnam frees jailed dissident priest ahead of Obama's visit

May 21, 2016 14:01

Vietnam granted early release from prison to a Catholic priest who is one of its most prominent dissidents, a move widely seen as a goodwill gesture before US President Barack Obama arrives on an official visit.

The Catholic Archdiocese of the central city of Hue reported on its webpage that it welcomed the return yesterday of 70-year-old Father Nguyen Van Ly from prison.

Photos on its website showed a frail Ly being helped off a minibus, kneeling to pay his respects to his senior colleagues, then being led to a room prepared for him at the diocese. He has suffered several health crises while imprisoned.

Ly has served several long terms in prison or under house arrest for promoting political and religious freedoms in the communist nation.

He has been serving an eight-year prison term since March 2007 after being convicted of spreading propaganda against the state. He was first jailed in 1977, two years after the Communist takeover of all Vietnam.

Vietnam's persecution of dissidents has been a roadblock to warmer relations with the United States, from which it is seeking the lifting of an arms embargo.

Washington and Hanoi share a strategic interest in challenging Chinese territorial claims in the South China Sea, some of which are in areas long claimed by Vietnam.

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