Girl denies masterminding acid attack on female student

Quyen and her boyfriend blamed each other for planning to throw acid on a female student in Go Vap (HCMC) - after failing to mend their homosexual relationship.

On April 20, Truong Thi Kieu Quyen (22 years old), Nguyen Dinh Thanh Tam (21 years old, Quyen's lover) and Pham Hoang Long (20 years old) were brought to trial by the People's Court of Go Vap District for the crime of Intentional Infliction of Injury.

These people were accused of throwing acid on two female college students in Go Vap district exactly one year ago. Dressed in colorful floral clothes, Quyen looked fatter than when she was arrested.

Quyen's statement was roundabout, not admitting to being the mastermind. Photo: Binh Nguyen.

According to the indictment, Quyen and Duyen (21 years old) studied at the same school, had a homosexual relationship and lived together with a group of friends. Around August 2015, a conflict occurred with their friends, so Quyen moved out.

During this time, Tam had feelings for Quyen but was not accepted. However, the young man still often took her to the rented room to mend the relationship with Duyen.

Being rejected, Quyen and her boyfriend planned to hire someone to throw acid on Huong - a female student who often went with Duyen. Quyen would then appear, stay by Duyen's side and take care of the victim.

Using the excuse that she was a student and needed acid for an experiment, Quyen bought the chemicals. Tam then diluted it and hid it in his girlfriend's room, waiting for an opportunity to act.

On March 28, 2016, the couple went to the school gate to wait for Duyen and Huong to finish school. However, on the way, the acid that corroded the plastic bottle spilled out, so the plan was "broken".

That night, Quyen texted a young man of unknown origin online, asking him to join Tam in throwing acid. This man introduced Long, offered a salary of one million VND, and gave him an advance of 200,000 VND.

On the morning of March 30, 2016, Tam removed the license plate, brought a bottle of acid and chili powder, and drove Long to the college gate. Around noon, he saw two female students riding home. Tam accelerated and chased after them, causing Long to throw acid in Huong's face. Duyen, who was sitting behind, only had her clothes burned.

Upon hearing the news, Quyen, who was nearby, rushed to the scene with the locals to take the victims to the emergency room. The results of the examination showed that Huong was 75% disabled and had lost one eye.

Victim Huong wore a mask to the trial. Photo: Binh Nguyen.

Speaking to the court, Tam admitted to his crime. "The defendant knew clearly the harmful effects of acid, so before committing the crime, he diluted it and tested it with his hand, which only caused minor burns. When the defendant mixed the acid, Quyen also participated," Tam said, adding that his purpose was only to help his lover mend their relationship with Duyen.

Tam confirmed that Quyen was the mastermind, the one who planned and bought the acid. He said that he loved Quyen very much and was willing to sacrifice "but this is the law so I have to say it as it is".

However, Quyen said that Tam was the one who took the initiative, she only asked Long to do it with him. Explaining her statements at the investigation agency, Quyen said that she was "beaten for 2 days" so she had to testify according to the investigator's instructions. As for Tam's motive for throwing acid on the victim, according to her, "Tam loved the defendant so he was jealous of Duyen".

At the end of the meeting, Tam said the acid was purchased at Tuan Anh store near Kim Bien market (District 5) and not at the address in the case file. During the investigation, he did not dare to tell the truth for fear of affecting the store.

To clarify many details, including who was the mastermind of the crime, the People's Court returned the case file, requesting further investigation./.

According to VNE