An ethnic-minority pastor from Vietnam’s Central Highlands has been sentenced to seven years and six months’ imprisonment on charges of “undermining the policy of national unity”.
The People’s Court of Dak Lak province sentenced Pastor Y Nuen Ayun, 59, on 5 August. Pastor Nuen belongs to the Ede ethnic group, of which around 30-40% are Christians.
Nuen Ayun’s lawyer, Ha Huy Son, reported that the pastor’s wife and children attended the trial, which lasted just over two hours.
Pastor Nuen Ayun before the authorities after his arrest [Image credit: VietNam Net]
Son asserted that the court failed to establish that any acts committed by his client constituted a crime.
In addition to the prison term, the court ordered Nuen Ayun to serve four years of probation after his release.
After Nuen Ayun was arrested at his home on 7 October 2025, the authorities accused him of using the Central Highlands Protestant Church of Christ as a cover for activities that violated national security.
Prosecutors alleged that he received financial support from Pastor A Ga, the church’s founder, now exiled in the United States, to support the organisation. The intention, the prosecution alleged, was to set up a separate religious entity for ethnic minorities that would operate outside government control and ultimately create a “separate state”.
Dak Lak authorities prosecuted A Ga in absentia in 2023 on the same charge of “undermining the policy of national unity”.
Son contested the allegations against Nuen Ayun, asserting that the indictment identified no specific actions that sought to divide people from the government, armed forces or political and social organisations, as required under Article 116 of Vietnam’s Criminal Code.
“The defendant participated in the Central Highlands Protestant Church of Christ without the motive or purpose of opposing the government,” the lawyer wrote on Facebook following the trial.
Son argued that establishing and leading a church, preaching, helping followers to develop spiritually, and organising worship online and at meeting places, do not indicate any plan to oppose the government.
The church commented that Nuen Ayun’s imprisonment was designed to intimidate its members and compel them to abandon their faith. It said members have faced police harassment and questioning since the church was founded and their only intention is to practise their faith under Vietnam’s Constitution and Law on Belief and Religion.
How you can pray
Pray for Pastor Nuen Ayun as he begins this long sentence for faithfully serving God’s people. Ask that He will know the Lord’s strength and presence in the challenging days ahead and pray that his family will receive support to sustain them. Pray that the church will draw renewed resolve from the Holy Spirit to grow in faith and enable God’s work in Vietnam to advance mightily. Pray that any means possible will be used to overturn this unjust judgement.
