US judge orders release of Hmong ringleaders in alleged Laos overthrow plot

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

US judge orders release of Hmong ringleaders in
alleged Laos overthrow plot

Published: July 12, 2007

SACRAMENTO, California: A U.S. magistrate ordered the
alleged ringleader of a plot to overthrow the communist
government of Laos released on bail, allowing Hmong
leader Gen. Vang Pao to return home under strict
conditions.

U.S. Magistrate Dale Drozd also approved bail for seven
other defendants, including the other central figure in the
case, Harrison Jack, 60, a former Army Ranger accused of
acting as a middle man between the Hmong leaders and a
presumed arms dealer who was really an undercover
federal agent.

Drozd put off bail hearings for three other defendants until
Friday. But after more than seven hours of arguments
Thursday, he appeared poised to release all 11 of the men
accused in the plot.

The ruling followed a dramatic morning in court in which two
of the 11 men accused in the plot were hospitalized as their
attorneys argued they should be freed while they await trial.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/07/13/america/NA-GEN-US-Laos-Plot.php

[Indenturedebtor]

1. I'm with the Hmong on this one

They've been persecuted for decades by I think every country in SE Asia and China as well. Many communities are on the brink of death to date. Going from the brink of death to a military coup that rules over the majority of the population is a long shot...