On 17/6, the Quang Ninh Provincial People's Court handed down sentences to 5 defendants for intentional injury, an incident that occurred at Facility two of the Hai Ha Social Work Center.
The court sentenced defendant Nguyen Duy Cong, 16, to 48 months in prison. Three defendants – Nguyen Huu Anh Duc, 17, Ngo Tran Huu Thang, 17, and Pham Duc Hien, 17 – each received 33 months in prison. Defendant Nguyen Truong Giang, 18, was given a 6-month suspended sentence.
According to the indictment, Facility two of the Hai Ha Social Work Center is designated to receive, manage, and educate trainees with special circumstances. However, incidents of trainee assault occurred at the facility.
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The defendants at the court session on the morning of 17/6. *Photo: Le Tan* |
On the evening of 19/12/2025, trainee Bui Tien Manh, 23, was admitted to the center for game addiction treatment. When he expressed a desire to leave, some staff members and trainees prevented him. Defendants Nguyen Duy Cong, Nguyen Truong Giang, and others repeatedly struck Manh's chest, back, and buttocks with their hands, feet, rubber sticks, and wooden sticks, causing Manh a 2% health impairment.
On 21/12/2025, new trainee Pham Hai Nam, 17, joined the center. The defendants stated that due to living conflicts and Nam violating internal regulations, they continuously beat him. The assaults escalated on the morning of 23/12/2025, when in the office, the group including Nguyen Duy Cong, Nguyen Huu Anh Duc, Ngo Tran Huu Thang, and Pham Duc Hien violently attacked Nam's vulnerable areas – head, face, chest, and abdomen – with wooden and rubber sticks.
Nam died that same afternoon. The forensic examination concluded the cause of death was respiratory failure resulting from back injuries that led to lung contusion, pulmonary parenchymal hemorrhage, and pulmonary edema.
The court stated that applying penalties to the minor defendants in this case aims to educate them, help them recognize their unlawful actions, correct their mistakes, and train to become useful citizens. It also contributes to general prevention and deterrence within society.
In connection with the incident, Nguyen Van Hai, the center's director, along with some staff members, have been indicted in a separate case.
The Hai Ha Social Work Center is a non-public facility licensed to operate in counseling, intervention support, and therapy for troubled or difficult-to-manage youth.
During its operation, families sent over 70 trainees to the center. However, instead of employing psychological educational methods, the center's management is accused of maintaining a disciplinary system based on corporal punishment. Trainees who did not comply with regulations or attempted to escape were frequently beaten by staff and self-governing trainee groups as a deterrent.
Le Tan
