Doan Thi Huong's support

Huong's father, Mr. Doan Van Thanh, along with 2 Malaysian lawyers and 3 Vietnamese lawyers, will be present to provide both mental and legal support.

This morning (April 13), at the Sepang court in Selangor state (Malaysia), the second trial of suspects Doan Thi Huong (28 years old, Vietnamese) and Siti Aisyah (25 years old, Indonesian) took place in the murder of a North Korean man named Kim Chol, who is believed to be Kim Jong-nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Image of Doan Thi Huong at the first instance trial on March 1. (Photo: AFP)

Entered the trial in good spirits.

Doan Thi Huong was arrested on February 15 at Kuala Lumpur airport while trying to return to Vietnam. Siti Aisyah was arrested a day later.

On March 1, both suspects briefly appeared before the Sepang court in Selangor state to hear the indictment. They are charged with murder in the killing of Kim Chol with VX poison at Kuala Lumpur airport on February 13. If convicted, the maximum sentence Doan Thi Huong could face is the death penalty.

During the trial that lasted just over 30 minutes, Doan Thi Huong said she understood everything and affirmed her innocence.

Currently, suspect Doan Thi Huong is being held in Kajang prison, in Selangor state, a place for serious criminals.

According to the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia, during consular contacts with Doan Thi Huong, the suspect's health remained relatively stable and Huong appeared quite comfortable before having to appear for the second hearing.

Great moral encouragement

The father of suspect Doan Thi Huong, Mr. Doan Van Thanh, has been in Kuala Lumpur since April 10 to visit his daughter with a representative of the Vietnamese Embassy on the afternoon of April 12.

In an exclusive interview with VOV right after meeting Doan Thi Huong, Mr. Doan Van Thanh said that at first Huong felt worried because she thought that her father's safety would not be guaranteed if he went to Malaysia.

“But after that, when he met me, he felt less worried and more cheerful,” said Mr. Doan Van Thanh. Mr. Doan Van Thanh is currently at the Vietnamese Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

Mr. Thanh added: “The authorities and the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia have been very enthusiastic in helping us travel and meet Huong. Up to this point, after meeting her and seeing her healthy and mentally stable, I feel more comfortable. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Vietnam Bar Federation have also been very helpful and created the best conditions for our family.”

He also affirmed his son's innocence: "He could not have done this. I also advise him not to worry too much because everyone is always there to help him."

Strong legal backing

Immediately after the incident occurred on February 13, 2017, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant agencies actively intervened to protect and provide legal support to Doan Thi Huong.

There will be 2 Malaysian lawyers and 3 Vietnamese lawyers participating in the litigation process to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Doan Thi Huong. In addition, there will be 4 associate lawyers of the 2 main Malaysian lawyers to support.

On March 30, the spokesman for the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that "the two Malaysian lawyers who will participate in the legal defense of Doan Thi Huong this time are very good people."

Assessing the defense ability of Doan Thi Huong in an interview with VOV on the afternoon of April 12, Mr. Bui Quoc Thanh, Deputy Director of the Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that Malaysian and Vietnamese lawyers have great confidence that Doan Thi Huong is innocent.

“Currently, both Malaysian and Vietnamese lawyers are collecting evidence to submit to the court in the upcoming trials of Doan Thi Huong,” Mr. Bui Quoc Thanh added.

He also emphasized that, in all working sessions between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia as well as in contacts between the Consular Department and the Malaysian Embassy in Hanoi, the Vietnamese side always requested Malaysia to carefully investigate and conduct a fair and non-discriminatory trial to ensure the legitimate rights and interests of Doan Thi Huong.

In the coming time, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with the Vietnam Bar Association, will direct the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia to attend court sessions as well as consular visits to Doan Thi Huong to closely monitor the proceedings like the trials of Malaysian courts.

According to VOV