Prosecutors in Dak Lak province in the central highlands said Y Mut Mlo, the leader of the US-based MSGI (Montagnard Support Group) terrorist group, had persuaded H Wuen Eban since 2015 to join in armed activities, murder and destroy property to incite indictment. fear among the population and disrupt order in Dak Lak.
Y Mut Mlo is currently on the run and wanted.
Mlo also introduced Eban to other MSGI members including Y Chik Nie, Y Nien Eya, Y but Eban, Y Chanh Bya and Y Sol Nie.
In August 2018, Bdap illegally crossed the border into Thailand and formed the Montagnards Stand For Justice (MSFJ) organization to incite ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands to commit terrorist acts.
In 2019, Eban joined MSGI to seek material support from outside Vietnam to oppose the authorities, forming the so-called “Degar State” in the Central Highlands.
From 2019 to June 2023, Eban recruited residents of Dak Lak villages to form armed groups and also appealed for funds to purchase weapons.
Eban and his accomplices also threatened several people to force them to join the armed groups. MSGI often sent money to Eban to pay for the armed groups’ living expenses and other expenses.
In early 2023, Eban requested authorization from the MSGI to authorize armed groups to carry out terrorist acts in Vietnam, murdering people and destroying property in order to sow fear in the community. Y Sol Nie returned to Vietnam to help Eban coordinate terrorist acts.
On May 12, 2023, Nie arrived in Thailand from the United States and contacted Eban about how to return to Vietnam without being detected. Eban enlisted people to help Nie enter Vietnam, and Nie, along with Eban and other members of the armed groups, devised plans and chose locations to attack authorities and steal weapons, among other acts.
They then chose the offices of the People’s Committee in the communes of Ea Ktur and Ea Tieu as targets, because these locations would make it easier for them to attack and retreat.
Nie and Eban then authorized armed groups to attack the two sites, instructing them to destroy everything and kill everyone present, as well as stealing weapons. They were also asked to expand their attacks to other sites and, once their attack was over, to plant the flag of so-called “Degar State” and record videos to promote their picture. “Degar” is a term used to designate Montagnard groups.
Authorities said that from June 9 to 10 last year, the terrorists trained among themselves and created weapons in preparation. On the night of June 10, they divided into two groups: one of 33 people and the other of 34 people, to go to the two offices of the Popular Committee and launch the attacks.
The attacks left nine people dead, including police officers, civil servants and civilians, and injured others.
Authorities said most of the defendants committed the crime because they did not know the laws. They were therefore persuaded by Y Mut Mlo and other reactionary groups in the United States to join in the terrorist acts.
Of the 100 defendants, 53 were tried for terrorism aimed at opposing popular government; 45 were accused of terrorism (including six abroad); one was accused of covering up crimes; and one of them was accused of having negotiated illegal entry, exit or stay in Vietnam.
The trial began on January 16 and is expected to last 10 days.
