Trial Begins For Nine Vietnamese Nationals

Trial Begins For Nine Vietnamese Nationals : Bandar Seri Begawan - Nine Vietnamese nationals appeared before the Magistrates' Court for their trial after they pleaded not guilty to the charge of illegal fishing in Brunei's waters.


The six men and three minors were Vo Dy Trong, Tran Tuan, Pham Trong Khim, Vo Thanh Truyen, Nguyen Van Nguoc, Vo Tan Luc, Nguyen Thanh Tam, Nguyen Dinh Tien and 14-year-old Vo Tan Sang.

All of the defendants claimed innocence of the offence of using a foreign fishing vessel for fishing in Brunei waters without a licence before Senior Magistrate Lailatul Zubaidah.

Vo Dy Trong told the court that they had no intention of entering Brunei and claimed that they departed from Vietnam on October 7, to head to a Vietnamese island to go fishing. The journey took them three days.

He went on to say that they planned to fish there for three days before returning, but a storm occurred and damaged their vessel's navigation equipment, radio and machinery.


The defendants were arrested in Brunei waters on October 18, at 6.50pm and only managed to reach the naval base at 8.30pm on October 19.

The offence for illegal fishing in a foreign vessel is punishable under Section 17(2) of the Fishing Order, which carries an imprisonment term not exceeding five years, a fine not exceeding $100,000 or both for the owner or the master of the vessel.

However, crew members are subjected to a different punishment upon conviction under Section 17(1) of the Fisheries Order 2009, whereby they are liable to a fine not exceeding $2,500, imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or both.

Under Section 17(1) of the Fisheries Order, 2009, it states that no foreign fishing vessel shall be used or attempt to be used for fishing or for conducting any research or survey in relation to any fishery in Brunei, unless it is authorised to do so under any international fishery agreement between the government and the government of the country; or any international organisation to which such vessel is registered or to which it belongs; and it is used for the purpose in accordance with a licence.

The trial is expected to resume today.

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