Sentenced to prison those who take advantage of freedoms to infringe upon the interests of the State

On November 26, the People's Court of Vinh Long province held a first-instance trial of the criminal case of "Abusing democratic freedoms to infringe upon the interests of the State, the legitimate rights and interests of organizations and individuals; illegally arresting and detaining people" that occurred in Loan My commune, Tam Binh district, Vinh Long province.

After 1 day of trial, the Trial Panel sentenced Thach Chanh Da Ra (born in 1990, residing in Tam Binh district, Vinh Long province) to 6 years in prison and Duong Khai (born in 1994, residing in Vinh Chau district, Soc Trang province) to 5 years and 9 months in prison for the crime of abusing democratic freedoms to infringe upon the interests of the State, the rights and legitimate interests of organizations and individuals, and illegally arresting and detaining people; sentenced defendant Kim Khiem (born in 1978, residing in Tam Binh district, Vinh Long province) to 3 years in prison for the crime of abusing democratic freedoms to infringe upon the interests of the State, the rights and legitimate interests of organizations and individuals.

In addition, the Trial Panel sentenced defendant Thach Ve Sanal (born in 1987, residing in Tam Binh district, Vinh Long province) to 2 years and 6 months in prison for illegal arrest and detention; sentenced defendants Kim Khu (born in 1959), Thach Chop (born in 2003), Thach Nha (born in 1998), all residing in Tam Binh district, and Kim Sa Ruong (born in 1987, residing in Tieu Can district, Tra Vinh province), Thach Quy Lay (born in 1986, residing in Cau Ke district, Tra Vinh province), each to 2 years in prison for illegal arrest and detention.

According to the indictment of the People's Procuracy of Vinh Long province, on the afternoon of November 22, 2023, the Working Group of the People's Committee of Tam Binh district came to grasp the situation and resolve the incident that occurred at Dai Tho pagoda. At this time, the pagoda gate was open, so the members of the working group entered the pagoda grounds to work, but the people in the pagoda did not comply.

Following the instructions of Thach Chan Da Ra, the people in the temple locked the main gate. During the jostling, Thach Chan Da Ra dropped his phone and bent down to pick it up, causing a scratch on his right little finger. Thach Chan Da Ra spoke loudly and directed the people in the temple to arrest the members of the working group and ask them to go to the main hall to apologize.

Kim Khu and Thach Ve Sanal used loud words, causing the incident to become more disorderly. These people together restrained and pushed the members of the working group to bring them into the main hall. When the members of the working group resisted, some of them used force to cause injuries, and 3 members of the working group were restrained and brought into the main hall.

At 3:55 p.m. the same day, local people asked to release the people but were refused, so they broke the side gate lock and proceeded to rescue the members of the working group.

After the incident ended, Thach Chanh Da Ra went live with Kim Khiem and Duong Khai on Facebook about the incident. In the video clip, Kim Khiem and Duong Khai made untrue statements, slandering the officials...

Previously, Thach Chanh Da Ra, Kim Khiem, and Duong Khai repeatedly used their phones to live-stream video clips on Facebook containing untrue statements, slander, and insults to authorities.