Cao Thi Cuc is imprisoned for practicing her faith.

On May 12, 2022, Vietnamese authorities arrested Cao Thi Cuc, a leader of the TABBVT Buddhist Monastery, an independent religious group. She was charged under Article 331 of the 2015 Penal Code for “abusing democratic freedoms.” Authorities claimed that she and other members produced content critical of local authorities and the state-backed Buddhist Church of Vietnam.

The case against Cuc and her monastery began months earlier when, in November 2021, government officials accused the monastery of using religion for personal gain. On January 4, 2022, police raided the monastery, detained multiple members, and accused them of fraud, incest, and abusing religious freedom.

Despite international concerns over religious persecution, Cuc was sentenced to three years in prison on July 21, 2022. Her appeal was later rejected, and she remains detained at Long An detention center. Her case highlights Vietnam’s ongoing crackdown on independent religious groups and the suppression of religious freedom.