Laos charged a distillery owner with selling food harmful to health and operating an illegal business over the 2024 tainted alcohol deaths of six foreign tourists in Vang Vieng.
The charges carry only 3 months to 4 years in prison plus a fine, though Denmark said the case can stay open for 15 years if evidence later supports a more serious charge such as negligent homicide.
Denmark's Lars Løkke Rasmussen called the indictment too lenient, while Australia's Penny Wong said authorities were not pursuing the most serious charges and sent an envoy to Laos after summoning its ambassador.
Families of the victims said they were appalled and accused Laos of minimizing the deaths, which followed methanol poisoning linked to drinks consumed by backpackers staying at Nana Backpacker Hostel.
The case has sharpened scrutiny of Laos, a popular backpacker destination that tightly controls information, and renewed warnings about methanol-tainted alcohol in low-cost or illicit drinking markets worldwide.