Hunt continues for Vietnamese man

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Police are still seeking a Vietnamese man after the convictions of three others over the death of an immigrant who was beaten and left at a hospital.

The three men were found guilty of Tran Nguyen's manslaughter after a four-month trial at Cardiff Crown Court.

But Gwent Police say they still want Tu Minh Le, who went to Vietnam after the death in Newport, to stand trial.

They have issued a European arrest warrant and worldwide warrant for him and have even met him in Vietnam.

But because of extradition laws Vietnam, they have so far been unable to bring him back to Britain.

Nobody claimed the reward because of fear in the Vietnamese community and in the gang Det Supt Geoff Ronayne Thanh Van Le, 31, Cong Van Le, 48, Quynh Van Huynh, 51, were cleared of Mr Nguyen's murder by a jury on Friday but were found guilty of manslaughter.Three other men - Bac Phoung Nguyen, 30, Son Van Nhu, 24, and Paul Harrison, 37 - were acquitted of all charges after the death of Mr Nguyen, who was left in A&E at the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, in November 2006.

During the trial, the jury was told that Mr Nguyen was suspected of taking part in a raid by rivals on a cannabis factory in Newport.

Gwent Police say they believe Tu Minh Le was involved with the gang who ran the factory and pursued him around the world after he left the country following Mr Nguyen's death.

He was eventually tracked down to Germany where authorities said he had been arrested but later released at the German-Czech border.

A police team went to Germany and appeals were launched on Crimewatch in the UK and Germany's version, Aktenzeichen XY.

Gwent Police also offered a £10,000 reward for information that led to his arrest.

"It was the first time we have done that. We have offered rewards before but they have come from private companies or individuals," said Det Supt Geoff Ronayne, who led the inquiry.

Convicted of manslaughter: Thanh Van Le, Cong Van Le, Quynh Van Huynh"But we put it up to try to flush him out to see if a member of the Vietnamese community would come forward."

He said they understood that Mr Le became aware of the reward and before officers could find him in Europe, he fled back to Vietnam, where they finally got in touch with him.

"He didn't want to go back to Vietnam because they have the death penalty," said Det Supt Ronayne.

ID documents

"But he obviously felt it was a risk worth taking and he bought a one-way ticket to go back to Vietnam. His gang got him ID documents."

He added: "Nobody claimed the reward because of fear in the Vietnamese community and in the gang.

"If you give evidence there's a risk to your family back in Vietnam. That's probably what prevented someone coming forward."

Police are still liaising with Vietnamese authorities about him. Officers went there to meet him and they said he wants to return to the UK to face trial rather than in Vietnam.

But Vietnamese law does not allow him to be extradited.

Meanwhile, Gwent Police said they would not be able to give evidence at any trial in Vietnam because of human rights laws.

Det Supt Ronayne said negotiations are ongoing with authorities in Vietnam to try to come up with an agreement where Mr Le can stand trial in Vietnam without the threat of the death penalty.

"He does not want to be tried in Vietnam under any circumstances," added Det Supt Ronayne.