A southern Vietnam court on Thursday sentenced six people to prison for attending violent demonstrations against government plans to create three new special economic zones, officials said.
The move according to the officials could increase Chinese influence in the country.
The convicts, who were arrested in June in Binh Thuan province Phan Ri township, were charged with throwing rocks and petrol bombs at police, according to Phan Thiet City People’s Court.
Protests broke out across Vietnam on June 10, over a law before the National Assembly that would allow, under special circumstances, foreign firms to sign 99-year leases in three new special economic zones.
A vote on the bill, scheduled for June 15, was postponed until the October parliamentary session.
In spite the delay, protesters stormed a government building in Binh Thuan province on June 10, burning vehicles and fighting police. More than 100 people were arrested.
The sentences imposed ranged from 24 months to 30 months behind bars, while the only teenage defendant received 18 months of house arrest.
The court verdict said that some defendants were paid as much as 200,000 Vietnamese dong (8.66 dollars) to attend the protests, although this could not be independently verified.
A U.S. citizen Will Nguyen, 32, remains in police custody in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s largest city where he is being investigated for disturbing public order on June 10. (NAN)
https://www.africaprimenews.com/2018/06/23/news/president-mnangagwa-escapes-unhurt-after-blast-at-rally/