VietNamNet Bridge - This morning, June 27, the panel sentenced Miss South Mekong 2009 Vo Thi My Xuan to 2 years 6 months in prison and model Thien Kim to 2 years of probation and for providing prostitution services.

Miss South Mekong My Xuan to go on trial this week

My Xuan at the court.

Model Thien Kim, whose real name is Tran Thi Hoa, was questioned first. During the trial, Thien Kim always bowed her head, covered her face with her hands to avoid the cameras of reporters.

Pimp Tran Quang Mai was the next. This man confessed to introduce several models, singers and beauties to rich men, at the price from $1,300 to $7,000. A man from Vung Tau paid model Thu Ngan $7,000 and Mai held $3,000.

Miss South Mekong My Xuan said she introduced rich men to models twice but she never received a “commission.” The first time is for Miss Ben Tre Province Yen Duy and the second time is for singer Minh Nhai, as “helping.” In the second occurrence in June 2012 she was arrested.

Lawyer Co Hiep, who defended My Xuan at the trial, said the beauty committed the offence because she wanted to help her friends. Hiep said My Xuan, Yen Duy and singer Minh Nhai usually performed together. Nhai and Duy often asked My Xuan to introduce rich men to them. My Xuan “helped” these girls and was charged of providing prostitution services.

The representative of the People’s Procuracy said that the defendants' behavior is dangerous, causing social evils and adverse impacts on social order and safety. In addition, many defendants intentionally committed offence, earning illicit profits of thousands of US dollars. However, they sincerely declared their acts and showed repentance so the People’s Procuracy proposed mitigating punishment.

Thien Kim.

Accordingly, the People’s Procuracy suggested 3-4 years in prison for Mai; 2 to 2.5 years in prison for Tuan Anh; 1-2 years of probation for Thien Kim; 1.6 to 2 years in prison for My Xuan; 15-18 months in prison for Huy and 14-16 months in jail for Dat.

However, the court pronounced higher sentences on these defendants. Tran Quang Mai was sentenced 5 years in prison and has to pay back the full amount of illicit profits. My Xuan got 2 years and 6 months. Thien Kim was sentenced 2 years of probation and 4 years of challenges.

Dat got 1 year and 24 days in jail from the time of detention of June 3, 2012 and he was released immediately.

Tuan Anh was sentenced to 3 years in prison from the time of arrest (June 3, 2012). Huy got 1 year of probation, 2 years of challenges.

Dam De