The People’s Court of central Ha Tinh province on June 10 imprisoned Le Trong Tu and Lo Minh Trong, after both were found guilty of stealing property from factories during the recent disturbances following workers’ demonstrations against China’s illegal actions in Vietnam’s waters.

Tu, 22, and Trong, 25, were sentenced to 30 months and 24 months in prison, respectively.

According to the indictment, o n May 14, during rallies protesting China's illegal placement of its Haiyang Shiyou-981 drilling rig in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, some people were incited to set fire to the houses and workplaces of foreign workers and loot assets of several foreign-invested companies and factories at the Vung Ang Economic Zone.

The duo took advantage of the social disorder in the zone’s Formosa project site to steal a power generator, a welding machine, a metal cutter and two mobile phones from the Hung Nghiep Hoa Thai joint stock company. The assets total 10.4 million VND (490 USD) in value.

Relating to the riots at the Vung Ang Economic Zone, local police have to date arrested and begun legal proceedings against 31 people on charges of “disturbing public order”, “stealing property” and “intentionally damaging property”.-VNA