Seven more charged in Can Tho coffin-dancing street disturbance

Seven individuals have been indicted for their role in a birthday party group that carried a coffin into the street, dancing and parading, causing public disorder in Can Tho.

On 3/10, the People's Procuracy of Area 5, Can Tho City, announced it had approved the decision to prosecute Ly Tuyet Cuong, Nguyen Thai Nguyen, Do Van Vu, Tra Dat, Nguyen Phuc Thinh, Huynh Thi Dieu, and Cao Sang, aged 25-53. They face charges of causing public disorder. All seven have been released on bail and are prohibited from leaving their place of residence.

This marks a new development in the expanded investigation into the incident that occurred on the evening of 4/6, in front of the Nhat Tam coffin shop in Soc Trang ward.

Previously, Soc Trang Ward Police prosecuted and temporarily detained Nguyen Hoang Nhat, 42, the owner of the coffin shop. Six other individuals—Pham Quoc Em, Pham Van Loc, Co Minh Duc, Cao Van Ven, Ly Thanh Liem, and Nguyen Quoc Khai, aged 19-48—were also detained for the same offense.

According to initial investigations, Nhat hosted a birthday party at his coffin business premises on Le Duan street on the evening of 4/6. The party was staged to simulate a funeral, complete with a coffin, a condolence table, a portrait, a Western brass band, mourners, and the burning of votive paper. When the birthday cake was cut, the band played funeral music.

Towards the end of the party, Nhat's group performed a "closing ritual". A person climbed into the coffin, which was then carried into the street, where the group danced and paraded. This caused chaos and seriously affected public order in the area.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the case.