The trial in the land revocation case involving a violent clash between farmers and authorities in Haiphong City commenced on April 2.
According to Haiphong City’s indictment, Mr. Vuon and his brothers, Doan Van Quy, Doanh Van Sinh and Doan Van Ve were prosecuted with the charge of murder; meanwhile, his wife Nguyen Thi Thuong and his sister-in-law Pham Thi Bau (Doan Van Quy’s wife) were also charged with resisting arrest.
In 1993, local authorities allocated Mr. Vuon 21 ha of swampland to develop aquaculture as part of the local government’s plan to reclaim the wasteland in the district. They gave him an additional 19.3 hectares in 1997 with land use rights that would expire on October 4, 2007.
On April 7, 2009, the district decided to take back 19.3 ha of the land area which had been expired for the use. However, against the decision, Mr. Vuon sued this case to the Haiphong City People’s Court.
The court upheld November 24, 2011, Tien Lang District People’s Committee issued a decision on revocation of the 19.3 ha land area.
After being informed about the revocation, Vuon and his brothers were determined to keep their land. Vuon reportedly said that he intended to turn it into a criminal case.
Vuon and his family members set up fences to prevent authorities from entering the area and prepared bullets, gas cans and explosives.
On January 5, 2012, Vuon and his brothers used guns to fight against the authorities who were trying to clear explosives on the land, injuring seven people who are policemen and army soldiers. After that, the violators fled but arrested by Haiphong police.
The trial attracted reporters from 50 newspapers both inside and outside the country and 12 lawyers, in which, 11 have registered to protect Vuon and his accomplices.