~ Le Viêt Nam, aujourd'hui. ~
The Vietnam News

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Vietnam jails 29 inmates for staging riots

HANOI, Vietnam A court in southern Vietnam sentenced 29 inmates to up to 13 years in prison for staging riots, a court official said Thursday. The prisoners were convicted of causing public disturbances, attacking authorities and damaging property. They were given jail terms ranging from two years to 13 years at the end of the two-day trial Thursday in Long An province, said presiding judge Le Quang Hung.

Nguyen Thanh Nha, who was serving a 12-year sentence for robbery, instigated the riots in July 2005, urging other inmates to gather to demand better meals, Hung said. But instead of making their request to prison representatives, the inmates began to destroy furniture, musical instruments and food worth some US$15,000, he said. Four riot police, who were sent to restore order, were injured by rocks and bottles thrown by the inmates, the judge said.

Nha was sentenced to 13 years in jail. Long An is 60 kilometers (37 miles) southwest of Ho Chi Minh City. The convicted have 15 days to appeal their sentences.

The Associated Press - September 14, 2006.