On the morning of 16/1, Dinh Thi Lan, 49, was tried by the People's Court of District 7 - TP HCM. She faces charges of exploiting democratic freedoms to infringe upon state interests, as well as the legitimate rights and interests of organizations and individuals, under Clause 1, Article 331 of the Penal Code.
Nguyen Phuong Hang, Huynh Uy Dung, Dai Nam Joint Stock Company, and Hang Huu Charity Fund were summoned as parties with related rights and obligations. However, they submitted requests to be tried in absentia.
Lawyer Ho Nguyen Le represented the legitimate rights and interests of the Hang couple at the trial.
During the procedural phase, Lan stated that she had repeatedly filed complaints against procedural decisions throughout the investigation. Consequently, she did not accept the indictment or the decision to bring the case to trial. While in temporary detention, she sent 36 denunciation letters, which remain unresolved.
Lan also claimed she did not upload the clips as stated in the investigation conclusion, and that the investigation process involved "procedural violations". She requested the trial panel postpone the hearing to allow her to hire a defense lawyer and await the outcome of her complaints.
The trial panel is currently deliberating.
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Defendant Dinh Thi Lan in court today. *Photo: Binh Nguyen* |
The indictment states that Lan owned a YouTube account named "Lan Dinh". In 2021, the defendant self-recorded six video clips and disseminated them online via this account.
According to the prosecution, the six videos contained fabricated, false information, seriously insulting the prestige, honor, and dignity of Nguyen Phuong Hang and Huynh Uy Dung. They also disclosed personal, family, and private life secrets online, contrary to legal regulations.
Dinh Thi Lan's actions were identified as violating points a, b, Clause 3, Article 16; point d, Clause 1, Article 17 of the Cybersecurity Law 2018; and point d, Clause 1, Article 5 of Government Decree 72/2013/ND-CP on the management, provision, and use of internet services and online information. Authorities assessed that Lan's actions infringed upon the legitimate rights and interests of individuals, negatively impacting social security, order, and safety.
During the investigation, Dinh Thi Lan initially stated that she recorded the six video clips at her home on Le Duc Tho Street, Go Vap District (former), and uploaded them to the YouTube channel "Lan Dinh". Lan admitted to self-recording and making unverified statements concerning Huynh Uy Dung and Nguyen Phuong Hang.
Later, Lan changed her testimony, admitting to recording the aforementioned statements but claiming she did not post them on social media. However, the Investigative Police Agency determined there was sufficient evidence to prove Dinh Thi Lan was the one who uploaded these videos.
Binh Nguyen
