(New York) – The conviction and prison sentences of 14 activists by the People’s Court of Nghe An province on January 9, 2012, marks a sharp escalation of government attacks on critics. The convictions of the 14 should be quashed immediately, as should charges against the prominent blogger, Le Quoc Quan, arrested in late December. Thirteen of those convicted were sentenced to serve prison terms ranging individually from 3 to 13 years, to be followed by periods of up to five years of controlled residence. One was given a three-year conditionally suspended sentence, making him easily vulnerable to re-arrest.