January 5: The Paro district court has sentenced Wangchuk, a resident of Chuyul village in Tsento, to seven years in prison for robbing two US tourists.

According to the court verdict, at around 2pm on October 24 last year, the defendant saw a group of tourists passing through his village to Zangkipang. He planned to rob them and waited for nightfall.

At around 7.30 that night while the tourists were having dinner, he entered their tent and stole the money.

The defendant has also been found guilty of providing false information, obstruction of lawful duties and criminal harassment.

The court verdict says he told the investigating team that the crime was committed not by him but by Padam, a resident of Shana under Tsento gewog.

The defendant also threatened to take the life of Padam if he did not admit to the crime.

Apart from serving the seven year prison sentence, the defendant has been directed to deposit Nu. 40,100, the equivalent of the money he had stolen and pay a compensation of Nu. 15,000 to Padam.

Reading out the sentence, Drangpon Lungten Drubgyur said the crime committed by the defendant has caused irreparable damage to the good reputation of the country as one of the safest tourist destinations.