On 9/9, Ca Mau provincial police completed their investigation and transferred the case to the regional People's Procuracy, recommending charges against Nguyen Nhu Y (39, owner of a beauty salon) and Phan Phuong Thao (23) for unlawful detention and intentional injury. Both suspects are currently out on bail.
Investigators also recommended charges against Y's husband and Linh (the victim) for violating Vietnam's monogamy laws, citing this as the root cause of the incident.
According to the investigation, around 3 p.m. on 10/4, Y was informed by an acquaintance that her husband's car was parked at a motel in the former Nam Can district. She asked her nephew to check and film her husband with Linh in a room, sending the video to Y.
Y then asked Thao to hire a taxi from the former Ca Mau city to the motel to confront them. However, around 4:40 p.m., while crossing the Kenh Tac bridge, they spotted Linh driving and followed her. In front of a bank, Thao blocked Linh's car, restrained her arms, and Y hit her on the head and face with a helmet.
Y and Thao then forced Linh into their car and drove her to Y's beauty salon. There, Thao held Linh while Y continued to hit her head, face, and back, cut her hair, tattooed her forehead, and poured chemicals on the right side of her face, causing injuries.
A forensic examination determined Linh suffered 8% bodily harm, including a perforated eardrum causing hearing loss, skin peeling and discoloration on her face, and permanent scarring. The chemical burns directly impacted her facial aesthetics and caused damage to her personal image.
Investigators stated that while Y and Thao didn't pre-plan the assault, they jointly committed the act in a public place, creating a negative public image. Their actions fulfill the elements of two criminal offenses. The taxi driver and beauty salon staff were not considered accomplices, as they were merely following instructions and had no criminal intent.
During the investigation, Y and Thao paid Linh 14 million VND in compensation. However, Linh is seeking over 442 million VND to cover medical expenses, emotional distress, and scar revision surgery.
An Minh
