Trial of Dak Lak terrorism group begins with 100 defendants

A mobile court has been set up at their detention facility by the People’s Court of the central highlands province.

Of the defendants, 53 are charged with “terrorism aimed at opposing the people’s administration,” 45 are prosecuted for “terrorism,” including six who have fled abroad and are being tried in absentia, one is accused of “concealing crimes,” and another of assisting people “to leave, enter or stay in Vietnam illegally.”

Armed groups attacked two people’s committee offices, which also housed police stations, in the rural mountain communes of Ea Tieu and Ea Ktur on June 11 last year.

The attack killed two commune leaders, four police officers and three civilians. Two other police officers and many people were injured.

The Ministry of Public Security called the attacks “reckless, barbaric and inhumane.”

Among the accused is a member of a U.S.-based organization who had received instructions to infiltrate Vietnam and carry out the attacks, according to official sources.

Y Tho Ayun, one of the masterminds, said he had instigated some people in local villages to attack the offices with guns.

The police later seized 23 guns, two grenades, around 1,200 bullets, 1.2 kg of explosives, 30 knives and several other weapons from the attackers.