Seven people are sentenced for their demonstrations against the Law on Special Economic Zones in Binh Thuan Province
At the trial, Nguyen Van Minh, 52, Nguyen Van Hung, 26, Nguyen Phuong Dong, 24, and Nguyen Van Manh, 24, were sentenced 30 months in prison; while Nguyen Dinh Vu, 41, and Tran Thi Ngoc, 50, were both given 24-month sentences; and Nguyen Minh Hai, 17, got an 18-month suspended sentence.
According to a report by the court, the seven defendants joined a group of people who were protesting against the draft Law on Special Economic Zones gathered at Binh Thuan Provincial People's Committee and called on others to attack guards and local police using stones and bricks at 5 pm on June 10. At 9 pm, local people came to destroy the gates, doors, and windows of the buildings at the people's committee and the Department of Planning and Investment. They also burned down cars and motorbikes parked here.
Cars are burned down at the provincial Department of Planning and Investment on June 11
They then continued to cause disorder at the site on June 11. Hung, Manh, Minh, Dong, Hai were detained while throwing bottles, stones, bricks and home-made bombs to attack the police. Vu was arrested while trying to set fire to a gas cylinder at Tran Hung Dao Bridge, and Ngoc was arrested while pouring petrol into bottles and giving to other men to throw at the police.
HCM City Public Security Department said on June 14 that they had issued a decision to prosecute seven people for agitating the crowds and organising protests against the draft Law on Special Economic Zone.