VN child protection association pursues elevator sexual assault case

Nguyen Huu Linh after the hearing. VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Chung

The People's Court of District 4 yesterday opened the first-instance hearing in the case of Nguyen Huu Linh, 61, former deputy head of Da Nang's People’s Procuracy, accused of sexually assaulting a person under 16.

After a two-hour closed hearing, the panel decided to return the file for further investigation to clarify the evidence against Linh.

According to the indictment, the incident occurred on the evening of April 1 in the elevator of the Galaxy 9 apartment building in District 4 where Linh was visiting his son and the girl in question was returning home to the 10th floor.

There were only two of them in the elevator and Linh is alleged to have suddenly grabbed the girl and started kissing her despite her resistance.

The girl was only able to escape when the elevator opened. The assault was recorded by a security camera.

The girl told her parents about the incident and her family asked to see the elevator camera footage, which showed Linh had behaved inappropriately.

Linh has met the girl’s family to apologise for his actions.

But a video clip of the scene appeared on the internet the next day and aroused public anger.

On April 21, HCM City’s District 4 Police started legal proceedings against Linh.

District 4 People's Procuratorate on May 22 completed the indictment and transferred it to the court.

VNS