Commune offices attackers say they were promised large sums of money

One of them, Chanh Nie, appeared on Vietnam Television and confessed that his “leader” told him to “shoot everyone he saw” and promised him he would “become rich.”

Two others arrested, Y Tim Nie and Y Man Nio, made the same claims.

“The leader said I had to stand guard and stab anyone refusing to obey orders,” Nio said.

Suspect Y Tim Nie at a police station in Dak Lak Province, June 13, 2023. Photo by VTV

So far 45 people involved in the attacks on the Eu Tieu and Ea Ktur commune people’s committee offices in Cu Kuin District have been arrested, all belonging to the local Dak Lak Province.

They told the police they had attended meetings where each was given specific tasks and provided with guns, knives, grenades, and petrol bombs.

In the attack on early Sunday morning, four police officers, two commune officials and three civilians were killed, and two police officers were injured.

There has been no information about whether any of the attackers were injured or killed.

Ministry of Public Security spokesman To An Xo said Tuesday authorities are looking for the remaining suspects.