On 25/9, Thanh was convicted of obstructing law enforcement officers by the District 3 People's Court of Tay Ninh Province.

Thai Tuan Thanh in court. Photo: Nam An

Thai Tuan Thanh in court. Photo: Nam An

Thanh, a factory worker living in Duc Hoa Commune, was driving home from a party on the evening of 25/8 when he was stopped by a traffic police patrol and Duc Hoa Commune police.

His breathalyzer test revealed a blood alcohol content exceeding 0.4 milligrams per liter of breath, leading to the impoundment of his vehicle and driver's license.

After unsuccessfully pleading for the return of his documents, Thanh became angry and threatened the officers. He then walked back to his rented room to retrieve a weapon. He grabbed a homemade sickle-like weeding tool combined with a knife he had previously purchased online.

Returning to the scene, he brandished the weapon and chased three traffic officers, forcing them to flee hundreds of meters. Duc Hoa Commune police intervened, subduing Thanh and seizing the weapon before anyone was injured.

Nam An