Two Laotian youths went to Nghe An to illegally log wood, using knives to fight back against authorities.

On July 26, 2019, the People's Court of Nghe An province tried the case of "Violating regulations on forest exploitation and protection" against two defendants Vu Ba Gio and Vu Ba Po, both born in 2002; residing in Sam To district, Hua Phan province, Lao PDR.

According to the case, on March 27, 2019, Vu Ba Gio and Vu Ba Po were hired by Gia Cho Cha (residing in Hua Phan province, Lao PDR) to log wood in the forest with a daily wage of 500,000 VND for 2 people. Seeing that the salary was quite good, the 2 defendants agreed.

Two Laotians were arrested. Photo: Thiet Thuong

At around 7:00 a.m. on March 28, 2019, Vu Ba Gio and Vu Ba Po, along with Gia Cho Cha, crossed the border into Vietnam to exploit wood in the special-use forest area of ​​Pu Hoat Nature Reserve.

While the group was exploiting, they were discovered by a patrol team of Hanh Dich Border Post - Nghe An Provincial Border Guard Command in coordination with Que Phong district forest rangers.

The patrol team surrounded the area and signaled for the illegal activity to stop immediately, but the subjects used knives to fight back. Only when the task force fired 6 warning shots did the subjects put down their knives and stop resisting.

The two suspects Vu Ba Gio and Vu Ba Po were arrested, while Gia Cho Cha escaped and ran to the Lao border. At the scene, a chainsaw, a utility knife and a large amount of wood were found.

Through appraisal, the amount of wood illegally exploited by the subjects was 2 pieces of Sa Mu Dau wood (Sa Mu Dau), with a volume of 14.389 m3. This type of wood is listed in Table IA Group I in the "List of endangered, precious, rare and precious forest plants and animals" issued in Decree No. 06 of the Government dated January 22, 2019.

Attending the trial were representatives of the Lao Embassy in Vietnam; interpreters; guardians and lawyers to ensure the rights and interests of the defendants.

At the trial, the two defendants expressed remorse and wished to receive a lenient sentence so they could soon return home to take care of their families and become reformed citizens.

The panel of judges determined that the defendants’ actions should be severely punished to set an example for society. However, because the defendants themselves were under 18 years old, had low educational levels, and were enticed and enticed by others, the decision was made to sentence defendant Vu Ba Po to 24 months in prison, suspended, with a probation period of 48 months; defendant Vu Ba Gio, due to his actions in opposing the authorities, was sentenced to 30 months in prison, suspended, with a probation period of 60 months.