On 23/11, Thanh was indicted by the Hung Yen Provincial Police investigation agency for child rape, under Article 142, Clause 3 of the Penal Code.

Thanh (in black jacket) upon arrest. *Photo: Police provided*

According to the case file, at around 3 PM on 15/11, Thanh threatened and forced a 12-year-old girl to a guesthouse in Luong Phu hamlet, Tien Hai commune. There, the suspect sexually assaulted the victim before fleeing the area.

Police identified Thanh as a drug addict, HIV-positive, and having two previous convictions for robbery. While fleeing, the suspect carried weapons and constantly moved, intending to travel to southern provinces to cross the border into Cambodia.

On the afternoon of 19/11, through tracking, police located Thanh moving from Ninh Binh to Bim Son, Thanh Hoa. Authorities then successfully apprehended the suspect while he was on a bus en route to Kon Tum.

Police advised parents to pay attention to their children's psychological well-being and closely supervise them, to prevent predators from exploiting children's innocence and lack of awareness to commit abuse.

Le Tan