VietNamNet Bridge – The Supreme People's Court yesterday, July 30, decided to keep the main judgements made last April by the Hai Phong City People's Court related to a high-profile land eviction in the city's Tien Lang District.

Appeal trial held for Tien Lang farmers

The Supreme People's Court opened two cases to review judgments made last April related to a high-profile land eviction in northern Hai Phong City's Tien Lang District.

Specifically, Doan Van Vuon as the instigator of the case in which six farmers attempted to assault and kill on-duty officials involved in a coercive land seizure in the district early last year was sentenced to five years' jail.

Doan Van Quy, as the most active supporter, was also given a jail term of five years.

Doan Van Sinh and Doan Van Ve whose health is reported to be weak, were given a reduction in their jail terms by nine and five months respectively.

Accordingly, Sinh was re-sentenced to two years and nine months and Ve 19 months.

Pham Thi Bau and Nguyen Thi Thuong received 18-month and 15-month suspended sentences respectively.

On November 24, 2011, the Tien Lang District People's Committee passed a decision to evict the farmers. Tien Lang authorities informed and explained their decision to Vuon.

Instead of observing the decision, the farmers planned attacks on officials involved in the land eviction by erecting defence fences and planting home-made mines on their plot of land.

On January 5, 2012, the day of the eviction, the farmers fired home-made guns at officials, injuring seven of them.

Source: VNS