Vietnam court sentences 3 US citizens to 15 months

HO CHI MINH CITY, Nov 10 (Reuters) Three Vietnamese-born US citizens were sentenced today to 15 months imprisonment on charges of plotting against the Communist-run Vietnam government.

The three, who have been detained since September last year, were ordered deported within 10 days of finishing their prison terms by a judge in the Ho Chi Minh City People's Court.

Four other defendants, who include a US resident of Vietnamese descent and three Vietnamese living in Vietnam, received the same sentence and were ordered to be put under house arrest for three years when they complete their sentences.

The one-day trial included a Florida resident whose detention has drawn criticism from her supporters in the United States before President George W Bush visits Vietnam next week for an Asia-Pacific summit.

REUTERS SP ND1638