Iran: protesters arrested over torn Khomeini picture

Several people have been arrested in Tehran over the tearing up of a picture of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini,  during anti-government demonstrations last week. State television broadcast footage of what it claimed were opposition supporters tearing up and trampling on a picture of Khomeini during an anti-government student-led demonstration. All of those arrested are currently being held in detention although Iranian authorities have refused to give names or numbers. Read more here

Blogger faces death penalty in Vietnam

Blogger and pro-democracy activist Nguyen Tien Trung is facing the death penalty after being charged with “trying to overthrow the  government” and is due to be tried at the end of the month. Trung was arrested in July on a charge of propaganda against the state which related to  blogs he had posted including an open letter to the government on education policy. According to his father he is now facing the more serious charge of “subverting the people’s administration”. His supporters believe the charges are intended to intimidate  students who are calling for more press freedom. Read more here

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