Hanoi — A Vietnam court jailed 15 people Wednesday for up to 4.5 years for "causing public disorder" for attacking police and destroying government vehicles at explosive protests in June over a proposed investment law. The controversial draft bill to establish special economic zones in Vietnam was met with fierce anti-China anger across the country, with protesters accusing the government of catering to Beijing with lengthy leases and low tariffs in the proposed investment areas. China was not named in the law and the government said it would lower the proposed leases from 99 years, but it was not enough to stop the protests, which quickly spread to several cities. The rallies turned violent in southern Binh Thuan province where demonstrators were accused of destroying government vehicles, blocking roads and badly vandalising a police station that was left littered with riot gear after officers fled. Fifteen people were convicted for joining the violence and attacking riot police in...
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