Nguyen Thanh Chan's wrongful conviction: Tomorrow, "new witness" will attend the trial

According to the Supreme People's Procuracy, the Bac Giang People's Court was very cautious in reviewing the case file and trying the case. Tomorrow, "new witnesses" will also be invited to the Court.

At the press conference of the Supreme People's Procuracy this morning (July 20), in Hanoi, Ms. Nguyen Thi Yen, Director of the Department of Enforcement of Prosecution and Supervision of Criminal Trials, said that tomorrow morning (July 21), the People's Court of Bac Giang province will reopen the trial of Ly Nguyen Chung. Up to now, the authorities have suspended the investigation of Mr. Nguyen Thanh Chan and are carrying out compensation procedures for Mr. Chan; at the same time, prosecuting the defendant Ly Nguyen Chung.

“Previously, at the first instance trial and on March 6, the Bac Giang People's Court also very carefully considered and returned the case file for further investigation to examine the suspicion of any other accomplices,” Ms. Yen said.

Recently, when the trial of Ly Nguyen Chung as the real murderer in the case was about to begin, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Ha (53 years old, residing in Song Mai commune, Bac Giang city) appeared as a "witness" accusing Mr. Chan as the criminal and Chung as innocent.

The joy of Mr. Chan's family on the day of public apology (photo: Viet Duc)

Ms. Yen said: “Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Ha filed a petition stating that the victim had previously confided in her about some assets such as the ring and her family circumstances. Regarding these details, the People’s Court of Bac Giang province is also very cautious. In tomorrow’s trial, Ms. Ha will also be invited to the Court to attend the trial as a person who knows the events and details related to the case.”

Ms. Nguyen Thi Yen affirmed that the Bac Giang People's Court was very careful in bringing those who filed the petition to clarify the details in court, based on the indictment against Ly Nguyen Chung. "The results will be announced at the end of the trial. We will be responsible for reviewing them after the verdict is announced."

Previously, the wrongful conviction of Mr. Nguyen Thanh Chan occurred in 2003. At that time, in Me village, Nghia Hung commune, Viet Yen district, Bac Giang province, the murder of Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoan occurred.

The police investigation agency arrested Mr. Chan and claimed that he was the perpetrator of the case. At the two subsequent first-instance and appeal trials, although Mr. Chan strongly protested his innocence, he was still convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. At the end of 2013, when the perpetrator, Ly Nguyen Chung, surrendered, Mr. Chan was officially exonerated.

Last April, the Court of Appeal - Supreme People's Court also held a public apology to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Chan in the locality and negotiated compensation. Mr. Chan also agreed to the compensation of 7.2 billion VND and is completing procedures to pay./.

According to VOV