Raids on a secret rural command centre in recent days led to the arrest of the group and its leader Phan Van Thu, alias Tran Cong, according to a senior police officer quoted by the VNA news agency.

The men are being held and investigated for 'abusing freedom and democratic rights to violate state interests', Mr Pham Van Hoa, director of central Phu Yen province police department, told reporters at an official press conference.

He said the organisation operated 'non-violently' but aimed to topple the current administration.

Agence France Presse - February 6, 2012