Thai court frees Vietnamese dissident after hijack

Apr 3, 3:18 AM ETBANGKOK (AFP) -

A Thai court Tuesday ordered the release of Vietnamesedissident Ly Tong, who hijacked a plane from Thailand to dropanti-government pamphlets over Ho Chi Minh City six years ago, his lawyersaid.

A criminal court had ruled in September that Tong, a US citizen, should bedeported to Vietnam to face criminal charges for violating the country'snational security.

But the Thai Appeals Court ruled Tuesday that Tong was only seeking to makea political statement, and ordered his release, the lawyer said.

Tong has already served a prison sentence in Thailand over the hijacking. "The court overturned the criminal court's decision to send him back toVietnam, and he will be freed today," lawyer Worasit Piriyawiboon told AFP.

Tong, a former South Vietnam fighter pilot, hijacked a plane from Thailandin November 2000 to drop 50,000 pamphlets over Ho Chi Minh City urgingpeople to rebel against Vietnam's government.

His stunt took place during a visit to Vietnam by then-US president BillClinton.

Tong, 58, was arrested after landing back in Thailand and he was latersentenced to seven years in prison for violating Thai airspace.

He was granted an early release in May in 2006 but was again detained by Thai authorities for the extradition hearing.

Tong plans to ask the US embassy in Bangkok for travel documents to allowhim to leave Thailand, Worasit said.