A court in Vietnam has given a life sentence to 10 people who, along with 90 others, launched deadly attacks on two government offices in Vietnam’s Central Highlands last year, leaving nine deaths, including police officers.

After five days of trial, the People’s Court in Dak Lak Province announced the sentences on Saturday for 100 defendants, ranging in age from 18 to 56, who were implicated in the terrorism case that occurred in two communes of Cu Kuin District on June 11 of the previous year.

Of the defendants, 53 were found guilty of 'terrorism against the people's government.'

Among them, H Wuen Eban, 45, and Y Sol Nie, 48, were identified as the masterminds behind the attacks on the People's Committee offices in Ea Ktur and Ea Tieu Communes in the district.

The two instigators, for whom prosecutors initially sought death penalties, were ultimately sentenced to life imprisonment, along with eight others facing the same offense.

The remaining 43 defendants charged with this offense received prison terms ranging from six to 20 years.

Forty-five other offenders, including six who had fled abroad, were convicted of 'terrorism' and received prison sentences ranging from 3.5 to 11 years.

Among the final two defendants, Le Van Nghia received a two-year jail term for 'brokering illegal entry into Vietnam,' while Y Cing Bya was sentenced to nine months in prison for 'concealing crimes.'

During the court proceedings and the earlier investigation process, all the defendants pleaded guilty to the offenses outlined in the indictments and appealed to the jury for leniency.

They informed the trial panel that they had been incited by certain exiled reactionary organizations to carry out attacks on local authorities, aiming to establish the so-called 'Degar State' in the Central Highlands.

'Degar' is a term used to refer to Montagnard groups, including various indigenous peoples in the region, particularly in the Central Highlands.

On June 11, 2023, two groups of people armed with guns and homemade weapons launched attacks on the headquarters of the People's Committees in Ea Tieu and Ea Ktur Communes, according to the case file.

The assaults resulted in the tragic deaths of four police officers, two commune officials, and three civilians.

The attackers also injured two individuals, held three residents hostage, and caused extensive damage to facilities at the two administration offices.

The court mandated that 92 out of the 100 defendants compensate agencies, organizations, and individuals who suffered material and mental losses due to the fatal attacks.

Police in Dak Lak have issued special wanted warrants for the six defendants who are in hiding, and they are collaborating with law enforcement counterparts in several countries to locate and apprehend them, as per the court's announcement.

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