In-depth
Man seeks compensation after 10 years wrongful imprisonment
  • By Quoc Do | dtinews.vn | August 06, 2014 07:26 AM
 >>  Vindicated man gives names of investigators in coercive interrogation

Last year Nguyen Thanh Chan was released from prison after serving 10 years in prison when another man confessed, and now is asking for VND10-billion (USD476,190) in compensation.

 

Chan is taking care of his wife at his home

After receiving Chan's letter requesting the compensation, the People’s Supreme Procuracy replied, granting him an appointment on August 15.

Vu Thi Nga, head of Cong Ly Viet Law Firm, retained by Chan as legal advisers, said that the compensation has been calculated according to his loss of income and assets, as well as pain and suffering due to his wrongful conviction and imprisonment.

Chan’s wife, Nguyen Thi Chien, said that she had to cope up with many difficulties during the time her husband was in prison. She was forced to take out loans and put up her family’s assets as collateral to obtain the funds to defend Chan.

According to the People’s Supreme Procuracy, on August 15, 2003 a woman named Nguyen Thi Hoan, from Me Village, was killed at her home and found with injuries to her face and head. Chan became the main suspect because his "left foot almost fit the footprints left at the scene". Apparently, he also “showed suspicious signs" on the day of the murder. Bac Giang Province’s police arrested Chan for murder on September 29.

On March 26, 2004, Chan was sentenced to life in prison by the Bac Giang Province People’s Court.  After his conviction, Chan maintained his innocence and made several appeals. One of his appeals was granted, which was held in July of 2004, but the People’s Supreme Court upheld the sentence.

In fact, Chan was first sentenced to death, but this sentence was reduced to life in prison because of his father's contributions to the revolution.

Aside from his several attempts prove his own innocence, his wife also worked for his release, even accusing another man Ly Nguyen Chung, who lived in the same village.

The People’s Supreme Procuracy, along with other management agencies, attempted to extract a confession from Chung. Finally, on October 25, 2013 he admitted to the murder. He said his motive was robbery.

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