On 19/5, Nguyen Thi Van Anh, 44, a resident of Tu Liem ward, appeared before Hanoi's Regional People's Court No. 4. She is facing charges of disturbing public order under Clause 1, Article 318 of the Penal Code.

The charges stem from an altercation with her next-door neighbor, Hang. Hang had posted in the building's resident group chat, alleging that Van Anh's son exhibited inappropriate, "perverted" behavior within the apartment complex.

Around 8 p.m. on 9/1, as Hang returned home, Van Anh's cousin confronted her outside her apartment. The cousin questioned Hang about the online post, insisting that Van Anh's son had not engaged in such behavior.

Van Anh then emerged from her apartment, verbally abusing Hang. She grabbed Hang's hair with her left hand and repeatedly struck her head with her right. Security camera footage captured Van Anh both assaulting and cursing at her neighbor.

The altercation ceased only when the Deputy Management Board and the head of the building's operations management team arrived. However, Van Anh and her husband continued to verbally abuse Hang.

Nguyen Thi Van Anh in court. Photo: Danh Lam

'My son was just a bit too mischievous'

In court, Van Anh acknowledged the indictment and recounted the origins of the conflict. She stated that her husband had received a message from the building management, relaying a Zalo group post by Hang. The post warned residents to "be careful as there is a young man making inappropriate advances and often damaging other people's doors."

Van Anh testified that reading the message left her deeply upset and furious, prompting her decision to confront Hang upon her return home. Despite claiming she "just wanted to talk," Van Anh immediately assaulted Hang when she arrived home. She attributed her actions to a spontaneous outburst of anger.

The Trial Panel questioned Van Anh about her anger, noting that the message did not directly name her son. Van Anh responded that her son was merely "a bit too mischievous, not making inappropriate advances," and that Hang's assertions were false.

The Trial Panel also presented testimony from another resident, who stated that Van Anh's son had once made physical contact with them in the elevator.

Van Anh clarified that her 13-year-old son has an intellectual developmental delay. She admitted he occasionally misbehaved, such as knocking on or ringing Hang's doorbell. She lamented that Hang often complained instead of showing understanding, which fueled the animosity between the two families. "Normally, my child is very obedient," Van Anh stated, "he isn't always mischievous; he only misbehaves when he doesn't like someone."

Hang had requested to be tried in absentia. Her lawyer informed the court that Hang was receiving medical treatment and had sustained 50 million dong in damages, including a broken phone and glasses, during the altercation. Despite this, she did not seek compensation.

The Procuracy noted Van Anh's remorse and her situation as the mother of a child with a developmental delay. They recommended a sentence ranging from four months and 10 days to six months.

In her final statement, Van Anh apologized to her neighbor, expressed deep regret for her actions, and asked for understanding of her circumstances and forgiveness for her mistake.

The court is currently deliberating its verdict.

Hai Thu