An DNA test result released yesterday confirmed that a male prisoner sold sperm to drug smuggler Nguyen Thi Hue awaiting execution under the death penalty in Quảng Ninh Province.

Hue, 42, of northern Lang Son Province was arrested in 2012 for drug trafficking and sentenced to death in 2014.

In early February 2016, she was found to be some four or five months pregnant.

Investigation revealed that Huệ offered a male prisoner named Nguyen Tuan Hung, 27, who was in charge of cooking, VNĐ50 million ($2,300) to get her pregnant.

Under Vietnam's Penal Code, the death penalty can be reduced to a life sentence for prisoners who are pregnant or have a child under 36 months.

In August 2015, Hung sought ways to give Huệ  his sperm in plastic bags twice. Huệ injected the sperm in her womb and became pregnant.

A birth certificate was granted by Dong Dang Town People’s Committee in Cao Loc District, Lang Son Province, once Huệ’s baby was born. The certificate does not mention the name of the child’s father.

Meanwhile, the DNA test result revealed that Hung is the baby’s natural father.

Quang Ninh Police is also investigating superintendents in charge of Hue’s case.

Ten years ago, a similar incident occurred with another prisoner on death row, Nguyen Thi Oanh, at a prison in northern Hoa Binh Province.

Oanh was assisted by two jailers who opened her detention room five times allowing a male prisoner to have sex with her. The two jailers were imprisoned for 42-60 months. 

VNS