Ngoc, 37, one of eight people charged with bribery, testified yesterday at the Hanoi People's Court in a case involving irregularities at the Central Institute of Forensic Psychiatry.

The chain of misconduct began in April 2023 when Tran Thai Hoang, 35, known as DJ Thai Hoang and Ngoc's husband, was arrested and detained by Hai Duong City Police on charges of illegal possession of narcotics. Immediately after his arrest, Ngoc sought channels to influence the legal process through various social connections.

According to the indictment, Ngoc first approached Nguyen Tuan Minh, who promised to help Hoang undergo a mental health assessment to avoid criminal prosecution, assuring her he would "be released immediately and not remain in detention". Minh identified Nguyen Thi Mai Anh, a ringleader with seven prior convictions, as the "higher-level contact" to facilitate the scheme.

Minh quoted a fee of 1.8 billion dong, with 800 million dong required upfront. After her husband's detention order was issued, Ngoc transferred 800 million dong. Minh promised that Hoang would undergo the mental health assessment two weeks later.

When the deadline passed, Ngoc repeatedly urged Minh, who then provided Mai Anh's phone number for direct contact. On 22/8/2023, Hai Duong City Police issued a request for the Central Institute of Forensic Psychiatry to conduct a mental health assessment for Hoang. When Hoang arrived at the Inpatient Assessment Institute, Mai Anh arranged for Ngoc to meet her husband at the main gate.

In early September 2023, Mai Anh instructed Ngoc to transfer an additional 600 million dong. While Hoang was undergoing the assessment, Mai Anh visited Director Tran Van Truong's home and gave him 200 million dong, proposing that Hoang be recommended for mandatory treatment.

The indictment states that before the assessment board's final meeting, Director Truong separately called two subordinate assessors into his office, giving one 30 million dong and the other 50 million dong. In late September 2023, the assessment board issued its conclusion, which police then used to order mandatory treatment. Hoang was subsequently transferred to the Central Institute of Forensic Psychiatry.

During the court session on the afternoon of 30/9, Ngoc admitted her wrongdoing, stating she gave 600 million dong to Mai Anh but was "dissatisfied" with how the ringleader handled the case.

"Initially, Mai Anh said the assessment would happen in two to four weeks, but it actually took six months for my husband to go. This meant a rather long detention period", Ngoc testified, adding that her husband was still sentenced to 16 months in prison, including 10 months spent at the Central Institute of Forensic Psychiatry. Hoang has since completed his sentence and returned home.

"Your husband just got out, and now you're going in?", the presiding judge asked. Ngoc bowed her head, responding that her lack of legal understanding led to this situation. "I also feel very heartbroken", she added.

In this case, Ngoc faces charges of bribing Mai Anh with 600 million dong. The 800 million dong transferred to Minh is being investigated separately as he has absconded. The investigation into the falsification of mental health assessment conclusions for Hoang and others continues.

Defendant Mai Anh in court. Photo: Danh Lam

Security guards faced legal trouble for receiving 400,000 dong

Among the 65 defendants are four former security guards at the Central Institute of Forensic Psychiatry: Dang Hoa Bon, Ly Van Xuan, Nguyen Van Ngoc, and Phung Van Chon. All four are out on bail and are accused of abuse of power while performing official duties.

The four guards were contracted by Hong Phat company, receiving monthly salaries to ensure security and order at the Institute's gate. However, the four defendants repeatedly failed to perform their assigned duties. They allowed Mai Anh and others to enter and exit freely, treating the premises as if it were a free-for-all.

The group of guards also provided information about officials from prosecuting agencies visiting the Institute, enabling Mai Anh and her accomplices to prepare their responses.

Investigation results confirmed that defendants Bon and Xuan each received 570,000 dong from Mai Anh. Defendants Ngoc and Chon each received 400,000 dong.

In court, defendant Xuan testified that the four guards worked two shifts and rarely consulted each other. Xuan claimed he had no criminal intent, attributing everything to objective circumstances.

During his shift, Xuan usually stayed in the guard room to control vehicle entry and exit, while Chon patrolled. When vehicles passed, drivers handed over money, saying "Mai Anh's couple gave this for the guards, for cigarettes".

When the defendant testified evasively, the presiding judge spoke sternly: "Your duty as a guard is to control entry and exit, yet you always claim ignorance. This allowed patients to enter and exit freely."

Defendant Ngoc explained he "felt a lot of pressure as a guard". He stated he had tried to resign but the company did not accept it. The presiding judge interrupted, saying that "if you work, you must be fully responsible; here, you not only failed your duties but also acted wrongly."

The trial continues.

By Thanh Lam and Pham Du