Vietnamese clergyman arrested over illegal sermons

The head of an illegal church group in Vietnam has been arrested for preaching without permission.

Hong Thien Hank, 57, is a clergyman for an illegal splinter branch of the Cao Dai church.

He was detained with his wife at their home in the southern province of Tien Giang.

Hong Thien Hank has been accused of illegally promulgating the beliefs of an unauthorised sect, and printing and distributing religious information without permission.

All churches and religious organisations in Vietnam must receive authorisation from the government to operate.

The Cao Dai church, with around five-million followers mainly in southern Vietnam, was only officially recognised by the government in 1997.