Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien was proposed to be sentenced to up to 2 years and 6 months in prison.

On November 19, at the trial at the People's Court of Ho Chi Minh City, the representative of the People's Procuracy of Ho Chi Minh City proposed a sentence of 2 years to 2 years and 6 months in prison for defendant Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien (Miss Grand International 2021) for the crime of "Deceiving customers". The accomplices were also proposed corresponding sentences.

Proposed sentence for the defendants

According to the indictment of the People's Procuracy, the defendants in the case related to the advertising and sale of Kera candy products of Chi Em Rot Group Joint Stock Company were recommended specific sentences:

• Le Tuan Linh(former director) andLe Thanh Cong(former member of the Board of Directors): proposed 3-4 years in prison.
• Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien,Nguyen Thi Thai Hang(Hang Du Muc; former Chairman of the Board of Directors), andPham Quang Linh(Quang Linh Vlogs): Each defendant was recommended from 2 years to 2 years and 6 months in prison.

In addition, the People's Procuracy also proposed to fine each defendant an additional 50 million VND.

The Procuratorate's indictment

The representative of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Procuracy stated that, at the court, the defendants had honestly confessed their crimes, consistent with the documents and evidence collected during the investigation. The results of the examination confirmed that the content of ingredients in Kera candy was not as declared and advertised.

The Procuracy believes that the defendants’ actions are dangerous to society, causing confusion among consumers and creating unfair competition. The defendants took advantage of the fame of some individuals to promote untrue products on social platforms for illegal profit. This action has affected the rights of consumers and the order of economic management.

In the case, Le Tuan Linh and Le Thanh Cong were determined to have a higher role than the remaining defendants.

Mitigating circumstances are considered

The Procuracy also noted many mitigating circumstances. The defendants all had good personal records, confessed honestly and repented. Their families and related people returned the illegally obtained money.

Chi Em Rot Company also refunded the amount of VND 1,333,222,989 to customers who requested it. Therefore, the defendants are entitled to the mitigating circumstance of "voluntarily remedying the consequences".

The defendants Nguyen Thi Thai Hang, Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien and Pham Quang Linh also have many achievements and certificates of merit in their work and production. Together with their volunteer activities, these are considered additional mitigating circumstances.