Two Thugs Jailed for Killing HCMC Citizen in Support of Traffic Police

Thugs Bang (in front) and Tong in courtroom

Thugs Bang (in front) and Tong in courtroom

Bang and Tong stumped on Hien to beat him at his head and body until he collapsed on a road although the victim pledged for mercy.

by Vu Quoc Ngu, Sept 24, 2015

The district People’s Court in Ho Chi Minh City on Sept. 23 held the second hearing, finding two thugs guilty for beating to death one resident in support of local traffic police, state media has reported (http://www.thanhnien.com.vn/chinh-tri-xa-hoi/danh-chet-nguoi-vi-thay-nan-nhan-cu-cai-voi-csgt-612016.html).

According to the Thanh Nien newspaper, the court convicted Le Thanh Bang, 37, and Vo Van Tong, 19 of brutal attacking Tran Van Hien, leading to Mr. Hien’s death later on April 9 two years ago. The two attackers were sentenced to nine and four years in prison for their sin, the court said.

The sentences were reduced compared to those given by the same court in the first hearing which gave Bang 12 years and Tong four years in jail.

According to the verdict, on the evening, Mr. Hien was stopped by a patrol police team which found him drunk while riding a motorbike. Mr. Hien, who lived nearby, objected the policemen’s instruction.

Witnessing the incident, Bang and Tong stumped on Hien to beat him at his head and body until he collapsed on a road although the victim pledged for mercy.

At the court, the two attackers said they beat Hien to support the traffic policemen.

The court did not question the roles of the patrol policemen in the murder.

The case is among many cases in Vietnam on which thugs have attacked people when people object traffic police’s decisions. In all cases, police have rejected to have relations with thugs.

Traffic police is among most corrupted groups in Vietnam, according to state media and observers.