Binh Duong courts imprison rioters

Courts in the southern province of Binh Duong handed down imprisonment sentences to two rioters after separate trials in the province yesterday morning.— VNA/VNS Photo

A court in Ben Cat town sentenced Le Van Nghiem, a 23-year-old resident of Ca Mau Province who was working for Chan Kiet Joint Stock Company in Ben Cat, to three years in prison for "causing disorder in public" and "intentionally destroying assets".

On May 13, as Nghiem was returning to his boardinghouse from visiting a friend, he joined many people gathered in the entrance of Chan Kiet JSC for a demonstration against China's placement of the Haiyang Shiyou-981 oil drill rig in Viet Nam's exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, according to the court.

Nghiem used "dirty words" to insult the law enforcement force on duty at the site and used an electric torch to damage a private car owned by Nguyen Van Tong, head of An Tay police force. Repair costs for the car totalled VND4.1 million, according to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

Also yesterday morning, a court in Tan Uyen town sentenced Chau Minh Tuong, a 18-year-old resident of Tan Uyen, to 12 months imprisonment for robbery.

According to the court, when many people gathered at Minh Vien Co. Ltd. in Tan Hiep Ward on May 13 for a demonstration against China's oil rig placement, Hiep broke into the office and stole a computer monitor in addition to other equipment worth over VND5.1 million.

Tuong said he stole the computer for "playing games" at home.

Other proceedings

Law enforcement agencies in the southern province of Dong Nai have started legal proceedings against 41 people for their role in recent disturbances in the locality, according to the provincial People's Procuracy.

They will be charged with causing public disorder and appropriating assets during demonstrations by workers and local people to protest China's illegal action of placing its oil rig in Viet Nam's waters.

As many as 416 suspects have been detained.

By yesterday, 98 percent of the enterprises affected by disturbances in the locality had resumed their production and business activities. The remainder plan to restart their operations by today.