Former Vice President Nguyen Huu Linh is about to be tried on charges of sexually abusing a girl in an apartment elevator.

On May 22, District 4 People's Procuracy completed the indictment and transferred the case file to the same level court to bring him to trial.Nguyen Huu Linh (61 years old) on behaviorObscene acts with people under 16 years old.

Mr. Linh is a lawyer of the Da Nang Bar Association, former Deputy Director of the Da Nang People's Procuracy, who retired last year. He was prosecuted under Clause 1, Article 146 of the 2015 Penal Code, with a penalty of 6 months to 3 years in prison.

The investigation and prosecution file for Mr. Linh was completed within one month from the date the District 4 People's Procuracy approved the decision to prosecute the accused.

According to the case, Mr. Linh came from Da Nang to Saigon to visit his child living in the Galaxy 9 apartment building in District 4. On the evening of April 1, the 7-year-old girl entered the apartment building elevator with a bag of cookies. Mr. Linh followed closely behind, his eyes glued to his phone.

When the security guard swiped the girl’s card to press the floor button and then immediately turned back, Mr. Linh hugged, kissed and allegedly touched the girl. The girl looked scared and he let go.

The girl walked closer to the elevator door, Mr. Linh grabbed her neck and pulled her back for the second time. At this moment, the elevator door opened, the girl ran away and almost fell. Mr. Linh's entire action was recorded by the elevator camera.

Working with the apartment management board and the girl's parents afterwards, Mr. Linh only admitted that "he found the girl cute so he hugged and kissed her". The former deputy director returned to Da Nang shortly after.

When the video was posted on the Internet, public opinion was shocked because Mr. Linh was a high-ranking official, knowledgeable about the law, but violated the girl's body. The Ho Chi Minh City and central prosecution agencies requested clarification and supervision of the investigation by the People's Procuracy and District 4 Police.

Crime of indecent assault against a person under 16 years old

1. Any person who is 18 years of age or older and commits an indecent act against a person under 16 years of age without the intention of having sexual intercourse or other sexual acts shall be punished by imprisonment from 6 months to 3 years.

2. Committing a crime in one of the following cases shall be punishable by imprisonment from 3 to 7 years: committing an organized crime; committing the crime 2 times or more; against 2 or more people; against a person for whom the offender is responsible for caring for, educating, or treating;Mental and behavioral disorders of victims from 11% to 45%; dangerous recidivism.

3. Committing a crime in one of the following cases shall be punishable by imprisonment for 7-12 years:Mental and behavioral disorders of the victim 46% or more; make the victim commit suicide.

4. The offender may also be banned from holding a position, practicing a profession or doing certain work for 1-5 years.