The Latest: On July 31, 2026, the Gia Lai Provincial People’s Court canceled the trial in absentia of Pastor A Ga without providing an explanation.
- A Ga, who is a co-founder of the Evangelical Church of Christ of the Central Highlands, was previously notified by the court on July 10 that his trial would proceed.
The Details: On Aug. 7, A Ga informed Luật Khoa that his family, currently living in Gia Lai, received a “Notice of Court Hearing” stating he would be tried for “organizing others to flee abroad” under Article 349 of the Penal Code.
- In March 2026, the Gia Lai Provincial Police reopened the case after suspending the investigation for several years, following its initial launch in March 2017.
According to the July 10 notice, the trial was scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on July 31, 2026. A Ga stated that Gia Lai police visited his family home on July 27 and 28, informing them that officers “would transport the family to attend the trial.”
- He advised his family not to attend.
A Đảo, another member of the Evangelical Church of Christ of the Central Highlands, was also invited to attend.
- On July 31, A Đảo went to the Gia Lai Provincial People’s Court, but the trial did not take place and was postponed indefinitely without explanation.
- A Đảo later informed A Ga of the cancellation.
Luật Khoa called the Gia Lai Provincial People’s Court several times on Aug. 10 and 11, but no one answered.
Who is Pastor A Ga? Born in 1977, Pastor A Ga is a member of the Hà Lăng ethnic minority in the Central Highlands and one of the most prominent advocates for the religious freedom of the Montagnard people.
- He left Việt Nam in 2013, seeking refuge in Thailand, and has lived in the United States since 2019.
A Ga has faced prosecution twice:
- First in 2017 on a charge of “organizing others to flee abroad”
- Second in 2023 on a charge of “undermining the unity policy.”
Other Members Prosecuted: Pastor A Ga is one of the four members of the Evangelical Church of Christ who have been prosecuted and tried.
- On Aug. 5, the Đắk Lắk Provincial People’s Court sentenced Y Nuen Ayun—another co-founder of the church—to seven years and six months in prison for “undermining the unity policy” under Article 116 of the Penal Code.
- In 2024, church leader Y Krễc Byă was also sentenced to 13 years in prison on the same charge.
- A Đảo received a five-year prison sentence in 2017 for “organizing others to flee abroad,” though he was released one year early in 2020 following sustained international pressure.
Why It Matters: The Central Highlands is widely considered a flashpoint for religious freedom.
- Since protests began in 2001 demanding that the government respect religious freedom and land rights, Montagnards in the region have faced severe government repression.
- As a result, thousands have been forced to leave their homeland and seek refuge in third countries.
Hoàng Nam wrote this news article in Vietnamese and published it in Luật Khoa Magazine on August 12, 2026. The Vietnamese Magazine translated it into English.
