Miss Phuong Nga released on bail, case reinvestigated

(Baonghean.vn) - On the afternoon of June 29, with many new details refuting the indictment against Phuong Nga for defrauding a tycoon of 16.5 billion VND, the People's Court decided to release Phuong Nga and Dung on bail; and return the case file for re-investigation.

Yesterday, Phuong Nga’s lawyers sent a petition to the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Court, stating that, with the evidence provided and the results of the interrogation in court, there is reason to believe that the case has signs of a miscarriage of justice. Meanwhile, Nga has been detained (since March 19, 2015) for more than 2 years. She has shown no signs of escaping or obstructing the investigation or trial. Therefore, continued detention of Nga is unnecessary.

From there, the lawyer recommended that the panel of judges release Nga on bail or replace the temporary detention measure with a measure of "prohibition from leaving the place of residence". This would limit the damage to her health, spirit and honor if she was truly wronged.

Nga and Dung learned that they were released on bail. Photo: Quynh Tran/VNE

On the afternoon of June 29, presiding judge Vu Thanh Lam, on behalf of the panel of judges, announced the decision to change the preventive measures, allowing Phuong Nga and Thuy Dung to be released on bail. The two defendants are under the supervision of local authorities - District 2, Ho Chi Minh City.

Next, the presiding judge announced the decision to request additional investigation. "Considering the need to review documentary evidence that cannot be reviewed in court, the panel of judges decided to return the criminal case file for investigation to clarify the following issues: At the trial, the defendants Nga and Dung stated that this was the amount of money that Mr. My transferred to Nga due to a love relationship, and Mr. My stated that this was the amount of money that Mr. My asked him to buy a house.

The investigation needs to prove what role Thuy Dung played? The investigation cannot determine that the amount of 16.5 billion VND is not the money for buying and selling a house. So it is necessary to verify who made the house sale records for what purpose?

Investigate some information in hotels provided by lawyers to verify and consider violations of monogamy regulations. Allow Nga to access Nga's email to review the time of creation of the letters. Lu Minh Nghia provides the phone numbers of Nguyen Mai Phuong and Nghia in the camp to provide information. Clarify Thuy Dung's statement about receiving letters witnessed by two roommates.

Clarify the objectivity of the two statements of defendant Nga and Mr. My, although the times are different, the content is the same from the full stop to the comma. Clarify whether or not there is a violation of judicial activities. Clarify the exits of Mr. My and Nga when Mr. My said it was just a coincidence.

When hearing the news that both Nga and Dung were released on bail, witness Lu Minh Nghia was equally happy. Nghia said he did not know how to express his feelings, but he was very happy that after 2 years and 3 months, Nga and Dung were released on bail.

Mrs. Ho Mai Phuong's joy when her daughter was released on bail. Photo: Vietnamnet

Phuong Nga's mother, Ho Mai Phuong, held the lucky doll in her hand and tearfully thanked lawyer Pham Cong Hung, the press, and public opinion for accompanying her and her daughter throughout the course of the case.

Previously, the court announced that all new evidence provided by the lawyers of both sides and witnesses would be included in the case file. The entire interrogation of witness Nguyen Mai Phuong in the isolation room was also recorded and recorded as a document to serve the investigation of the case.

Nga, Dung and Nghia recanted their statements, repeatedly asserting that their statements in court were true. Meanwhile, Mr. My maintained his position, saying that the defendants and witness Nghia's statements were incorrect.

Ha Chi

(Synthetic)