The family of a Vietnamese fisherman who was shot dead by the crew of a Thai marine police ship and another fisherman injured in the case have made preparations for legal proceedings.
Speaking to DTiNews on September 23, fisherman Nguyen Hung Cuong said that he and the family of Ngo Van Sinh who died in the fatal attack have sought Ho Chi Minh City-based Ha Hai & Associates Law Office's help for filing the case.
Nguyen Hung Cuong, one of the two injured fishermen in the attack
According to Cuong, Ha Hai & Associates Law Office will pursue the case on a no-fee basis. “We’re determined to take on the case on behalf of these poor people," Cuong added.
After a 10-day treatment at Kien Giang Province's General Hospital doctors for a serious leg injury, Cuong was moved on September 22 to the HCM City-based Hospital for Traumatology and Orthopaedics where he will have surgery.
Nguyen Thi Kim Phuong, wife of deceased Nguyen Van Sinh, hoped the law would deliver justice for her dead husband. Her family depends on fishing and the death of her husband has left her with two children.
Truong Van Ngu, Chairman of Kien Giang Province's Fishing Association, said that he would tell the Royal Thai Consulate General that there was deep concern over the Thai maritime police force's attack.
The case occurred on September 11 when some Vietnamese fishing boats were operating on the border of Thai territorial waters when they were approached by the Thai police boat.
After detaining the captain of a Vietnamese boat, Thai maritime policemen chased the other fishing boats and then fired, killing Nguyen Van Sinh and injuring Nguyen Hung Cuong and another fisherman.
A boat being shot by Thai marine police on September 11
At a meeting on September 21 a representative from the Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand, Thai police Public Affairs Division Director Major-General Apichart Suribunya, said that Thailand was seriously investigating the incident. He said that Thailand will investigate the case in an open and transparent manner and ensure that those determined to be responsible would be tried.