18-10-2024 (HANOI) In a significant development in the ongoing investigation of the June 2023 terrorist attacks in Vietnam’s Central Highlands, Y Quynh Bdap, a 32-year-old Vietnamese national, has been extradited from Thailand to face charges of terrorism. The move has been hailed as “appropriate” by Pham Thu Hang, spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who addressed reporters in Hanoi on Thursday.
Bdap is alleged to be the mastermind behind the recruitment, incitement, and orchestration of the brutal assault that took place on 11 June 2023 in Dak Lak province. The attack, which targeted the headquarters of the people’s committees in the communes of Ea Tieu and Ea Ktur, resulted in nine fatalities, including four police officers and two local leaders. Many others were injured, and significant damage was inflicted upon state and private property.
The scale and violence of the incident sent shockwaves through the region. Nearly 100 masked assailants, armed with lethal weapons, participated in what investigators have described as a premeditated attack that had been meticulously planned and ruthlessly executed.
Prior to his extradition, Bdap had been tried in absentia by the People’s Court of Dak Lak and sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment for terrorism. His return to Vietnam ensures that he will now serve this sentence, upholding the principle that all perpetrators of such heinous acts must face the consequences of their actions.
The Dak Lak police investigation has revealed a troubling backdrop to the attack. Authorities believe that economic hardships and a lack of awareness have made some locals vulnerable to recruitment by overseas exile groups. These groups have been propagating separatist ideologies and inciting attempts to establish a breakaway “Degar administration” in the Central Highlands region.
Hang emphasised the commitment of Vietnamese authorities to continue working closely with their Thai counterparts on this matter, ensuring that all actions are in accordance with the laws and regulations of both nations. This cooperation underscores the importance of international collaboration in combating terrorism and maintaining regional security.
