Vietnam jails two over anti-China riots
May 26, 2014
Smoke rises from a burning factory in southern Vietnam Photo: The unrest is the most serious outbreak of public disorder in Vietnam in years. (AFP)
A Vietnamese court has sentenced two men to jail for taking part in deadly anti-China rioting earlier this month.
The riots were sparked by anger over China's placement of an oil rig in contested waters in the South China Sea.
The Thanh Nien newspaper reported the men were convicted in the southern province of Binh Duong, where much of the destruction and looting was concentrated.
23-year-old Le Van Nghiem was sentenced to three years in prison for "causing public disorder" and property destruction during the May 13 violence.
He had joined hundreds of rioters in pulling down a factory gate and destroying a police car, it said, adding that he confessed to the crimes and expressed remorse.
18-year-old Chau Vinh Tuong was convicted of stealing a computer during the riots and was sentenced to one year in jail.
They are the first known convictions linked to the riots.
Thousands of people attended the outdoor trials.
China - which has evacuated thousands of its nationals from Vietnam over the riots - says four of its citizens died in the violence, but Vietnam says it was three.
Asked about the convictions, China's foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang said more needed to be done.
"We have noted the report that two men have been given jail sentences. But we think this is not sufficient," he said.
"We call on Vietnamese authorities to carry out a thorough investigation into the case, strictly punish the criminals and compensate Chinese firms for their losses."
Vietnam says hundreds were detained over the riots and have vowed tough punishment.
Many more trials are expected.
The government also said it would assist riot-hit companies with tax breaks, rent waivers and lines of credit.
China moved the giant oil-drilling rig into disputed waters in the South China Sea early in May.
Dozens of vessels from each side have engaged in a tense and ongoing confrontation, but China has accused Vietnam's government of a role in the unrest.
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, rejecting rival claims to parts of it from Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei in one of Asia's most intractable territorial disputes.
AFP
