Vietnam to Abolish Death Penalty for Embezzlement, Sparing Tycoon’s Life

Vietnam is set to abolish the death penalty for eight offenses, including embezzlement. The National Assembly unanimously ratified the change, sparing tycoon Truong My Lan’s life. While life imprisonment becomes the maximum sentence for these crimes, several others will still incur capital punishment.

Vietnam is set to abolish the death penalty for eight specific offenses, including embezzlement, starting next month. This significant legal change was announced by the National Assembly on Wednesday, which reported that the amendment to the Criminal Code received unanimous approval. The decision spares the life of a notable figure, real estate tycoon Truong My Lan, who was previously sentenced to death in a massive fraud case involving 12 billion dollars.

Aside from embezzlement, crimes such as vandalizing state property, producing counterfeit medicines, and espionage will no longer carry the death penalty. Under the new law, life imprisonment will now be the maximum penalty for these offenses. Further, individuals awaiting execution for these specific crimes as of July 1 will have their death sentences converted to life imprisonment, as stated in Vietnam’s official news report.

Among those whose sentences will be affected is Truong My Lan, chairwoman of the Van Thinh Phat Holdings Group, condemned last year for her role in the embezzlement scandal. Her lawyers did not respond immediately to inquiries from Reuters for comments. Legal experts have noted that the amendment will automatically convert her death penalty to life imprisonment. “According to the amendment of the Criminal Code, her sentence will automatically be reduced to life imprisonment,” said Ngo Anh Tuan, a lawyer not associated with Lan’s defense.

Despite this change, it is important to note that ten various offenses will still warrant the death penalty in Vietnam. These include serious crimes such as murder, treason, terrorism, and sexual abuse of minors. Drug trafficking remains one of the offenses punishable by capital punishment. Vietnam’s approach to capital punishment is largely opaque, as execution statistics are kept confidential, leaving the exact number of individuals on death row unknown. Currently, lethal injection is the sole form of execution since firing squads were discontinued back in 2011.

Vietnam’s recent decision to eliminate the death penalty for eight offenses, including embezzlement, marks a significant shift in legal policy. This change spares the life of tycoon Truong My Lan, previously sentenced to death for fraud. While the amendment also reduces penalties for similar crimes to life imprisonment, other severe crimes will still be eligible for capital punishment. The move reflects evolving perspectives on justice within the country, even as data surrounding capital punishment remains classified.

Original Source: www.usnews.com