Even though the court did not accept the request for trial in absentia, when being escorted to court, Ms. Nguyen Phuong Hang still appeared happy, smiling and greeting those around her.
On the morning of April 4, the High People’s Court in Ho Chi Minh City opened an appeal hearing for the case of “abusing democratic freedoms to infringe on the interests of the State, the legitimate rights and interests of organizations and individuals.” “, by Ms. Nguyen Phuong Hang (General Director of Dai Nam Joint Stock Company) and Dang Anh Quan (doctor of law, lecturer at Ho Chi Minh City University of Law) and accomplices.
Even though it is an appeal session, the court’s security is still tight, only those with a summons can enter. Operational reporters were arranged to monitor via screen.
Outside the gate, dozens of Youtube gathered to film and livestream.
The trial was opened following an appeal to reduce the sentence of defendants Dang Anh Quan, Huynh Cong Tan, Huynh Thi Mai Nhi and Le Thi Thu Ha. People with related rights and obligations, Ms. Dinh Thi Lan and Dang Thi Han Ni, also appealed against the first instance verdict.
Not appealing, Ms. Nguyen Phuong Hang filed an application for trial in absentia. However, Ms. Hang’s petition was not accepted by the court and was still taken to court.
After 9:00 a.m., Ms. Nguyen Phuong Hang and the defendants were brought into the courtroom. Ms. Hang entered the court with a cheerful demeanor, constantly nodding and smiling at the lawyer.
Although she appealed, Ms. Dang Thi Han Ni was absent from court. Currently, Ms. Han Ni is serving a sentence of 1 year and 6 months in prison for “abusing democratic freedoms to infringe on the interests of the State, the legitimate rights and interests of organizations and individuals”.
During the procedure, Ms. Dinh Thi Lan suddenly proposed to change the prosecutor. Faced with this proposal, the jury decided to consult.
Previously, in the first instance, the People’s Court of Ho Chi Minh City sentenced defendant Nguyen Phuong Hang to 3 years in prison and Dang Anh Quan to 2 years and 6 months in prison.
Co-defendants Nguyen Thi Mai Nhi (assistant of Ms. Nguyen Phuong Hang), Le Thi Thu Ha (employee of Dai Nam Joint Stock Company), Huynh Cong Tan (Head of Communications Department of Dai Nam Joint Stock Company) received the same sentence. Sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison.
According to the First Instance Judgment, from March 2021 to March 2022, Ms. Hang used social networking platforms such as Youtube, Facebook, Tiktok… to conduct livestreams.
Ms. Hang spoke directly about the secrets of personal privacy and content that affects the reputation and honor of 10 people, including: Artist Hoai Linh, singer Vy Oanh, Ms. Dang Thi Han Ni, singer Artist Dam Vinh Hung, singer Thuy Tien and her husband Le Cong Vinh, Mr. Nguyen Duc Hien and ladies Dinh Thi Lan, Le Thi Giau, Truong Viet Ha.
During the process of expanding the investigation, Ho Chi Minh City Police prosecuted Dang Anh Quan and three people, Nguyen Thi Mai Nhi, Le Thi Thu Ha and Huynh Cong Tan.
