Defiant Vietnamese farmers sentenced to 5 years

Associated Press, Viet Nam | World | Fri, April 05 2013, 4: 00 PM

Two fish farmers who back against the team of the expulsion of a State fought been convicted of attempted murder and sentenced five years in prison by a Vietnamese court.

Doan Of Vuon and his brother used homemade weapons and land mines against police and army officers as they tried to grab their country last year, earn them folk hero status among many in Viet Nam, an autocratic and corruption plagued nation.

Oberlandesgericht Pham Duc Tuyen ruled Friday that the men were guilty of attempted murder. Another brother and cousin were sentenced to two years and three-and-a-half in prison.

Land evictions are an important driving force for public anger in Viet Nam, a one-party State where citizens have limited freedoms.

Seven officers injured during the operation to take Vuon of country.