[news] Drug trial: 8 death sentences proposed by presecution

[Dam Son <son@fermi.phys.washington.edu>]

Biggest drug trafficking trial in Hanoi: Prosecution Bureau proposes eight
death and eight life sentences

The People's Prosecution Bureau in Hanoi last Saturday proposed serious
penalties for defendants implicated in the country's biggest drug
trafficking ring. Mr. Nguyen Van Tu, vice chief of the People's
Prosecution Bureau, proposed death penalties for Vu Xuan Truong, Dao Xuan
Xe, Vu Phong Ma, Bui Danh Ca, Nguyen Trong Thang, Duong Ngoc Thang, Lai
Thi Phan and Nguyen Thi Hoa. 

Sieng Kham Chan, Vu Huu Chinh, Tran Ngoc Duong, Do Tuan Anh, Ta Thi Hien,
Nguyen Trong Ky, Vu Thuong Kiet and Dao Duy Loc should be jailed for life. 

Nguyen Trong Tuan and Nguyen Thi Lua should be given terms of 20 years
imprisonment each; Vu Ban five to 10 years; Le Van Quan, five to seven
years; Pham Van Tai, two to three years; and Khuc Thi Dao, one to two
years. 

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Tu, the defendants can be classified into
three groups depending on the level of violations. The first group
includes Vu Xuan Truong, Sieng Kham Chan, Dao Xuan Xe, Nguyen Trong Thang,
Duong Ngoc Thang, Lai Thi Ngan, Nguyen Thi Hoa, Ta Thi Hien, Vu Thuong
Kiet and Nguyen Thi Lua. Kiet and Lua are considered as the active
accomplices while the remaining eight are serious criminals who had traded
in drugs for a long time. 

The second group comprises border guards Bui Danh Ca, Tran Ngoc Duong and
Nguyen Trong Tuan, who were bribed by drug traffickers and who gradually
participated in drug deals and transportation. 

Policemen Vu Phong Ma, Vu Huu Chinh, Nguyen Trong Ky, Do Tuan Anh and Dao
Duy Loc are included in the last group. They became accomplices out of
greed. Lawyers have begun to present the defense. This biggest trafficking
trial ever in the country, which paused yesterday and will resume today,
was expected to last 10 days starting May 2.