Twice brought pregnant 16 year old girl to China to sell

On March 12, the People's Court of Nghe An province opened a first-instance criminal trial of defendant Moong Thi Ha (born 1969), residing in La Ngan village, Chieu Luu commune, Ky Son district, prosecuted for the crime of "human trafficking".

Due to greed, between September 8 and 25, 2017, Moong Thi Ha twice took TH (born 2001, residing in Huu Lap commune, Ky Son district) to China to sell her as a wife.

Defendant Moong Thi Ha in court. Photo: Phuong Thao

The first time, in early September 2017, Moong Thi Ha called TH to invite her to work as a factory worker in Bac Ninh, but the purpose was to take her to China to sell. On September 8, 2017, after discussing with Oc Thi Long (Ha's daughter, currently living in China) that she would take TH there to sell for 120 million VND, Moong Thi Ha asked Oc Thi Huyen (also Ha's daughter) to take TH to Mong Cai, Quang Ninh.

When arriving in Mong Cai, TH realized that she was being taken to China, so she refused to go and informed her family. TH's aunt asked Huyen to take TH home, otherwise she would report to the police. Moong Thi Ha had no choice but to tell Huyen to take TH back.

However, when TH returned home, Moong Thi Ha continued to call to persuade her. TH said that she was pregnant. Moong Thi Ha discussed with Oc Thi Long, then told TH that if she went to China, she would get 140 million VND, of which 20 million VND was for selling the child, and 120 million VND was for selling TH. When TH agreed, Moong Thi Ha took TH to Vinh city to catch a bus to Mong Cai, Quang Ninh to go to China. On the way, the police of Chieu Luu commune, Ky Son district coordinated with the Border Guard to check and make a record of the incident. On September 26, 2017, Moong Thi Ha was arrested for investigation.

In court, Moong Thi Ha admitted all her crimes. The jury sentenced the defendant to 3 years in prison for "human trafficking".