Trial over Dak Lak terrorist attack opens with 100 defendants

The trial, opened by the Dak Lak People’s Court at the detainment facility where 94 of the accused are being held, is scheduled to last for 10 days. Six other defendants are on the lam overseas.

Of the defendants, 53 are charged with “terrorism aimed at opposing the people’s administration,” 45 including the wanted six, are prosecuted for “terrorism”, one is accused of “concealing crimes” and another accused of “organizing or brokering for others to leave, enter or stay in Vietnam illegally.”

Armed groups attacked two People’s Committee offices, which also housed police offices, in the rural mountainous communes of Ea Tieu and Ea Ktur in the Central Highlands province early 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 arrested was a member of a U.S.-based organization who had received instructions to infiltrate Vietnam and perform the attacks, according to official sources.

Y Tho Ayun, one of the plot’s masterminds, said he had provoked certain people in Dak Lak villages to use guns and attack the offices.

Police have seized 23 guns, two grenades, around 1,200 bullets, 1.2 kg of explosive materials, 30 knives and several other tools allegedly used to commit the crime.