Vietnam launches probe into American detained for ‘public disorder’ during protests over proposed land deal with China
The protests turned violent in several spots including southern Binh Thuan province where demonstrators torched police buses and damaged government property
Vietnam police have launched a formal criminal investigation into an American man who was among dozens arrested last week during rare protests that erupted across the authoritarian state.
American citizen William Anh Nguyen, 32, was detained in Ho Chi Minh City on Sunday during a massive rally protesting a government proposal to grant lengthy land leases in new special economic zones.
Many protesters expressed fear the land would be handed to China, and thousands gathered in several cities across the country to demand the government not lease land to Beijing for “even one day”.
At least 40 people are still in detention after the rallies, according to a tally using official figures and state media reports.
The protests turned violent in several spots including southern Binh Thuan province where demonstrators torched police buses and damaged government property.
