Cop, taxi driver bury the hatchet after assault

A Hau Giang police officer who assaulted a taxi driver last week and threatened to shoot him has apologized and admitted he was drunk, and the driver has agreed not to press charges.


The Hung Thanh Ward police in Cai Rang District, Can Tho City, yesterday held a mediation meeting between the officer, Major Bui Minh Thang, deputy head of the Hau Giang Province’s road traffic police, and the driver, Do Quoc Thai, who works for Mai Linh Corporation in Ho Chi Minh City.

Thang admitted that he was so drunk when he got into the taxi on March 20 that he was unable to control himself.

Thai had picked up Thang at Cai Khe Island and when they neared the access road to Can Tho Bridge, Thang twice ordered him not to stop at the red light. When he refused to obey, Thang grabbed the wheel from the back and threatened to shoot him.

The two then exchanged blows, with Thang using a belt to attack Thai and injuring him on the head.

When the police summoned both Thai and Thang for inquiry, Thang threatened officers and asked one to kneel and apologize to him.

When contacted by Tuoi Tre over phone, Thang admitted to “exchanging some angry words” and getting into a “minor fight” with the driver and to earlier drinking wine and beer with friends.

At the meeting, Thang and Thai agreed it was an unfortunate incident and consider the matter closed. Thai also agreed not to take legal action.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Sang, deputy head of the Cai Rang District police, said the ward police will decide about the administrative punishment to be awarded to Thang today.

Thai is on leave from work and will resume when he fully recovers.

Colonel Nguyen Hoang Dieu, deputy director of the Hau Giang Province Police, said he is awaiting reports on the incident.
source: tuoitrenews.vn

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