Prison rioters in Vietnam receive hefty sentence

Deutsche Presse Agentur
Published: Thursday September 14, 2006

Hanoi- A people's court in Vietnam has handed down jail terms of up to 13 years to rioting inmates, the judge who presided over the case said Friday. Following a two-day trial, which ended Thursday, 29 prisoners were found guilty of causing a public disturbance, attacking authorities and destroying prison property.

Le Quang Hung of the People's Court of Long An province said that the riots were the result of a power struggle between inmates and not disgruntlement over prison food, which was earlier reported.

"Nine people, including four prison guards, were injured badly," Hung said, referring to the July 2005 incident at the Thanh Hoa Detention Centre.

Prisoners destroyed furniture and medical equipment worth 15,400 dollars. The sentences ranged from two to 13 years.

© 2006 DPA - Deutsche Presse-Agenteur