Vietnam jails more in motorcycle racing crackdown
HANOI - A court in southern Vietnam has
sentenced nine people to prison terms ranging from one to four
years in a crackdown on illegal motorcycle racing, official media
reported on Friday.
The Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper said the nine had
been charged with disturbing public order after they were
involved in late-night races last January that killed an elderly
bystander in Ho Chi Minh City.
The Ho Chi Minh City People's Court handed down its verdict
on Wednesday to the nine, who were described as
``youngsters.'' No ages were given. They were not charged with
killing the man, who had been struck by one of the racers.
Vietnam's crackdown stems from a surge in motorcycle races in
Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City that have killed a dozen people.
Diplomats say the key cause of the races has been boredom
among youth in a country where the ruling Communist Party
keeps a tight clamp on political and student life.
Earlier this week a Hanoi court sentenced six people aged
between 17 and 20 to prison terms ranging from eight to 15
months for illegal motorcycle racing.
More trials are scheduled.
Reuters - August 19, 1999.
|