On 24/9, the District 7 People's Court of Ho Chi Minh City sentenced Hai to 8 years in prison for rape. The court also recommended that the Ho Chi Minh City Police Department take administrative action against him for practicing superstition.
The trial was held in private to protect the privacy of the victims. Hai admitted to the charges and asked for leniency.
The jury found Hai guilty of committing crimes against multiple victims. His actions were deemed particularly serious, exploiting religious beliefs to violate women's dignity, and warranting strict punishment. However, due to his confession, remorse, and lack of prior criminal record, he received a reduced sentence.
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Defendant Nguyen Ngoc Hai listens to the verdict. Photo: Vu Mai |
Defendant Nguyen Ngoc Hai listens to the verdict. Photo: Vu Mai
According to the verdict, Hai practiced acupressure and mobile healing, presenting himself as a spiritual practitioner with a Dharma name and the ability to emit healing energy. He also organized Dharma talks, scripture readings, and meditation sessions.
Many people, impressed by his teachings and witnessing his acupressure treatments, believed in him, venerated him, and sought to become his disciples.
As his following grew, Hai proclaimed himself a "living Buddha," gave Dharma names to his disciples, and propagated his beliefs through guided practice. He claimed to be able to heal through "energy transfer." Disciples would receive this "energy" through physical contact with him.
In 2020, Tien, a woman suffering from a heart condition, attended Hai's sermons. Believing his promises of healing, she allowed him to touch her chakra points on her head, forehead, neck, and chest. Seeking recovery, she followed his suggestion of "physical contact and sexual intercourse" for more effective energy transfer. Tien subsequently met with Hai multiple times at hotels and her home.
Hai used this tactic on several women with health issues, difficult circumstances, or seeking alternative healing methods. He also claimed his bodily fluids were "radiated energy with healing properties" and encouraged his disciples to use them.
The court determined Hai's actions involved psychological coercion. He used religion, his acupressure expertise, and promises of healing to create dependence and blur the lines of consent. "This is a form of exploiting trust, influencing the victims' autonomy, leading them to engage in sexual acts without full consent - fulfilling the elements of the crime of rape," the jury stated.
During these encounters, Hai referred to himself as a deity and instructed the women to take birth control pills. This was a deceptive act to evade or conceal his crime, according to point p, clause 1, Article 52 of the Criminal Code, the verdict noted.
During the investigation, another woman accused Hai of appropriating 3 billion Vietnamese dong in "offerings," but later withdrew her complaint, stating it was voluntary.
Vu Mai
*Victim's name has been changed.
