Former Laotian Gen. Vang Pao addressed thousands of supporters when he spoke at the Hmong International New Year celebration in December in Fresno. Vang Pao, 78, remains a hero to many in the Hmong community for leading guerrilla fighters, supported by the U.S. and armed by the CIA, in battling communist forces during the Vietnam War. (Gary Kazanjian / Associated Press)
Joey Thao, center, cheers in Sacramento in July 2007 after lawyers announced that the arrested Vang Pao would be released on bail. (Robert Durell / Los Angeles Times)
A protester, holding a photo of Vang Pao as a youth, joins thousands of Hmong supporters outside the federal courthouse in Sacramento to press for his release last summer. (Robert Durell / Los Angeles Times)
Supporters pray for the former Laotian general’s release outside the federal courthouse in Sacramento. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)
