Volunteer vigilantes need to be given legal status to protect themselves and their families from risks, lawyers have said.
HA NOI -
The death of Nguyen Xuan Chinh, 27, who is known as the 'street knight', has sparked legal experts to push for regulations to protect vigilantes. Chinh was killed by a street gang in Thu Dau Mot Town in southern Binh Duong Province last Friday.
Chinh had volunteered with a vigilante club since 2008 and had successfully solved 80 criminal cases.
"These people are worthy of respect, but they have no legal protection," said lawyer, Phan Trung Hoai said.
Currently, there are about 708 criminal vigilante clubs operating nationwide.
Nguyen Thanh Hai, who heads a vigilante club in Phu Hoa Commune in southern Binh Duong Province, said his group has arrested hundreds of criminals in his community.
"Everybody has their own jobs, but we continue to do this risky job without any financial support," Hai said. "We are not doing this to benefit ourselves. We are doing this to create a peaceful society." - VNS