Ly Tong, an American of Vietnamese origin, was arrested by Santa Clara police in California for allegedly attacking a Vietnamese singer by spraying him with a chemical.

Ly Tong, an American of Vietnamese origin, was arrested by Santa Clara police in California on July 18 for allegedly attacking a Vietnamese singer by spraying him with a chemical.

Singer Dam Vinh Hung after the attack.

Ly Tong dressed himself as a woman to approach Vietnamese pop star Dam Vinh Hung and present him with flowers. He then suddenly doused him with pepper spray and was later seized by security forces.

Santa Clara police said he is expected to stand trial on July 21. He has been granted bail after paying US$52,000.

Fifteen minutes after the incident, singer Dam Vinh Hung was able to perform again.

Ly Tong’s real name is Le Van Tong, who was born in Thua Thien-Hue city in 1946. In January 2000, Ly Tong violated Vietnamese airspace and dropped leaflets against the Vietnamese state. Tong was sentenced to 20 years in prison, but released in 1998. When returning to Thailand, he was arrested for violating Thai airspace.

PV