BÌNH THUẬN — The Tuy Phong District People’s Court in the central province of Bình Thuận handed out jail sentences ranging from two to three and a half years to 15 defendants involved in disturbances of social order at Hòa Minh Commune and Sông Lũy Bridge on June 10 at a trial on Thursday.

The defendants were convicted of “causing public disorder” in accordance with Clause 2, Articles 318 of the 2015 Penal Code.

According to the indictment, between 8am and 11pm on June 10 last year, people gathered on National Highway 1A, located in Tuy Phong District’s Hòa Minh Commune and Sông Lũy Bridge area in Bắc Ninh District’s Phan Rí Cửa Town. A number of extremists incited the crowd, causing public disorder, leading to serious traffic congestion on National Highway 1A and the area close to Sông Lũy Bridge.

They also attacked police who were in charge of protecting public order and directing traffic with sticks, bricks and stones.

Police and local government used loudspeakers to ask participants to disperse but they didn’t comply. They continued attacking the mobile police force on National Highway 1A. They also damaged a number of motorbikes and cars and caused serious congestion until 11pm. Several police officers were injured.

The jury said their actions had serious consequences for public security and social safety so strict punishments should be imposed to prevent similar crimes.  However, the jury said, the defendants had told the truth and admitted their acts were illegal. Thus, there were extenuating circumstances.

Hồ Thái Hà was sentenced to three years and 6 months in prison. Nguyễn Thanh Phương, Trần Hổ, Huỳnh Văn Sù, Phạm Văn Mẫn, Đặng Ngọc Tấn, Nguyễn Văn Hiếu and Nguyễn Thị Liên got three years in prison. Nguyễn Trường Vĩnh Phúc, Kinh Tấn Hoạch, Nguyễn Tấn Đông and Nguyễn Duy Sang will each serve two years and six months behind bars. The court also gave jail sentences of two years to Lê Minh Trường, Lê Thị Ngọc Anh and Phạm Thị Minh Thu. — VNS