75 people arrested in Vietnam Central Highlands terrorism probe

Dak Lak province police have arrested and launched criminal proceedings against 84 suspects in the deadly June 11 gunning spree that authorities say was instigated by foreign elements.

The attack left nine people dead and two injured.

Lieutenant General To An Xo, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Security, said Friday that 75 of the arrested people are being problem for terrorism, seven for “not denouncing criminals,” one for “concealing criminals,” and another for “organizing illegal immigration, emigration and stay in Vietnam.”

The armed attack that took place at People's Committee offices of the Ea Tieu and Ea Ktur communes in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak on the morning of June 11 was "organized terrorist activity."

Two groups of people armed with guns and homemade weapons attacked the local government headquarters and citizens on the road, killing nine people, injuring two and taking three hostages.

Among the suspects, one is a member of an organization based in the U.S. who received orders to infiltrate Vietnam and conduct the attack, according to the public security ministry.

The ministry considers the attack "a crime of terrorizing the people's administration with serious consequences". It was "barbaric, dehumanizing and showed utmost determination to commit the crimes." Some of the suspects have said that they were told to kill any communal officer or police officer that they came across as also rob property and firearms.

The investigative agency said it had sufficient documents to prove that the attack was organized by foreign organizations and individuals.

The evidence police have confiscated include: 23 military, homemade and airsoft guns; two grenades; 1,200 ammunition rounds; 15 detonators; 1.2 kilograms of explosives; a gun silencer; two rifle scopes; 30 knives; 10 FULRO flags and several vehicles and tools.

The ministry has urged foreign nations and friends to actively cooperate and aid Vietnam in investigating and handling this crime in particular and in fighting terrorism in general.